With approximately four months until the start of preseason, the National Women’s Soccer League has opened the free agency signing period, allowing the Utah Royals its first opportunity to add players to its squad.
While the team will be unable to announce any roster movement until November 20, fans can take solace in knowing that the duo of Sporting Director Kelly Cousins and Head Coach Amy Rodriguez are hard at work on the free agency front, putting pen to paper on the first players for the Utah Royals roster.
The league has released a list of 74 combined unrestricted and restricted free agents.
Eligible players for unrestricted free agency include all who have at least five years of service within the NWSL, and have contracts expiring in 2023. Eligible players for restricted free agency include all who have at least three years of service within the NWSL and have contracts expiring in 2023. Under the terms of the CBA, any club that currently holds the rights of a restricted free agent has a period of seven days to match an incoming offer from another club.
Utah Royals fans will recognize a number of names on the list from the Club’s previous iteration, including former captain Becky Sauerbrunn, along with Nicole Barnhart, Makenzy Doniak, Tziarra King, Brittany Ratcliffe, Desiree Scott, Michele Vasconcelos and Mallory Weber.
Meanwhile, the list also includes recent United States Women’s National Team players, such as Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe, Emily Sonnet, all of which were members of the 2023 FIFA World Cup squad. Forward Mallory Swanson, who missed the World Cup due to injury, is also included in the free agency list.
Internationals Cheyna Matthews (Jamaica), Emily Van Egmond (Australia) and the international all-time leading goal scorer Christine Sinclair (Canada) are available via free agency as well.
The remainder of the free agency list can be found here.
As the Utah Royals roster begins to take shape, free agency will likely play a large role in the makeup and identity of the team Rodriguez is tasked with leading. Outside of free agency, the next opportunity for the Royals to acquire players will be through trades and international signings when the window opens in November, as well as through the NWSL Expansion Draft which is set to take place on December 15.
So tell us, who are you hoping the Royals add? Who can you not wait to see take the pitch at America First Field with the URFC logo proudly stamped across their chest?
Utah Royals Season Ticket deposits for URFC are available now, get your spot in the stands secured for the 2024 NWSL season. Inquire here.
