Utah Royals to return to NWSL as latest expansion team
The National Women’s Soccer League announced Saturday that the Utah Royals will return to the league next year as the newest expansion team. The Royals were part of the NWSL from 2018-2020 and the club’s return to the NWSL will herald a new era for women’s soccer in the state of Utah.
Club owners David Blitzer and Ryan Smith both welcomed the announcement and claimed they were thrilled to fulfill the promise they made to their incredible fan base.
Blitzer said: “When we took over Real Salt Lake last year, we said it was a matter of timing, not if the NWSL would return to Utah. This has always been an integral part of our mission. We are grateful for the opportunity to use our resources and platform to take women’s football to the next level while inspiring future players and fans worldwide.”
Smith also said, “We are excited to be expanding the ‘One Utah’ family and bringing the Royals back to Utah. Having professional women’s football back in the country has always been a top priority for David Blitzer and myself and is of great importance to us, the fans, our partners and the country as a whole.”
Royals had a top draw in the first stint
The Royals will return to America’s First Credit Union field for their home games, which will be shared with Real Salt Lake. In their inaugural 2018 season, the Royals had standing room only with over 19,000 sold out spectators. During their three-year stint with the NWSL, the club boasted some of the brightest talent.
Kelley O’Hara, Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez and Becky Sauerbrunn all played for the club. The club also had UEFA Women’s Championship winner Vero Boquete in their team as they averaged the second-highest attendance in the league at over 11,000 spectators per match.
The Royals are led by President Michelle Hyncik, who previously served as senior legal counsel for MLS for five years. She has also served as General Counsel for Real Salt Lake for the past three years.
Commenting on the latest developments, Hyncik said, “As someone who credits my entire livelihood to my home on the field, I will prioritize empowering our Utah Royals players and the young girls and boys who look up to them by… State of affairs provide arts facilities, resources, people, commitment and opportunities to realize their full potential. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this community and the Utah Soccer family as we bring world-class women’s soccer to Utah in 2024.”
Photo credits: Imago / Icon sportswire