Fifteen players now, all from inside NWSL. With the rise of women's soccer all over the world, I wonder if scouting for the Royals is exclusively (or nearly so) within the league. Otherwise we would almost certainly see some players brought in.
It's almost like the Royals are reading this thread. I just got an email announcing the signing of Agnes Nyberg from IK Uppsala from Sweden. https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/news/utah-royals-fc-signs-23-year-old-free-agent-mf-agnes-nyberg
Aye, though 2nd division Sweden/Swedish U23 isn't exactly what I was hoping. Seems a good piece of the puzzle but not a difference maker.
She played in Damallsvenskan (1st tier in Sweden) three season, including the last two. She captained the Uppsala team that was promoted after the 2019 season 2020 with Uppsala in Damallsvenskan Uppsala was then relegated, she stayed one year to try to get them back upp then moved to AIK 2022 with AIK in Damallsvenskan AIK was relegated and Uppsala promoted again so she moved back home 2023 with Uppsala in Damallsvenskan Uppsala relegated again so she started to look for other teams. She has been the team Captain for Uppsala since IIRC shortly before the club started (after breaking away from Sirius) in 2017, except for the 2022 season. She also was the team Captain for Swedens U17 and U19, in U23 she AFAIK only played. So for a soon to be 24 years old she has a lot of leadership experience.
Thank you @JanBalk - it never ceases to amaze me how much knowledge is scattered across BigSoccer. I appreciate this!
Sounds like teams get relegated with her and promoted without her. But no pro/rel here so we should be good. I'm only kidding, sounds like a nice pickup. Can't wait for the home opener.
Ish - I want some foreign pieces. Royals - Alright. Here's a Swede. Ish - Meh. Royals - Fine. Here's a Dutch. Ish (probably) - (I was going to use the subway bit from the Seinfeld game of Risk episode, but this fit better. ) Royals announced they have signed Dana Foederer from the Netherlands based club Fortuna Sittard. What are the odds Kreis burst into the room at the mention of the word Fortuna?
Royals pick 6 from the draft. #1 Aly Sentnor (F, UNC) #4 Brecken Mozingo (local, F, BYU) #16 Lauren Flynn (D, FSU) #20 Olivia Smith-Griffins (local-ish Idaho, D, BYU) #21 traded to Houston #26 Emma Jaskaniec (M/F, Wisconsin) #29 Zoe Burns (D/M, USC) #33 Cristina Roque (GK, FSU) #44 Traded to Angel City
Can't wait to get to work with our draftees! pic.twitter.com/qqRypoLAMK— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) January 13, 2024
I give the team props for passing on the exciting local player with the first pick in favor of the best player - and still getting the local player with pick four.
I just became aware of this. So, there are TWO top flight women’s soccer leagues now? It’s kind of confusing imo. I wonder how this will impact the NWSL and it’s franchises. DIVISION ONE! 1️⃣🧡 We are thrilled to announce that the USL Super League has received Division One sanctioning from @ussoccer. Our inaugural season kicks off in August.➡️ https://t.co/2dQNv7X5wi pic.twitter.com/TJ4GS7pRoG— USL Super League (@USLSuperLeague) February 9, 2024
Opening game will be broadcast on ION this weekend for anyone interested. 5:30 local start against Chicago Red Stars.
Here's The Guardian's take on the NWSL's opening weekend and predictions for the rest of the season. A couple of pithy bits: "...draft picks Ally Sentnor (No 1) and Savannah King (No 2) will bolster expansion teams Utah Royals and Bay FC." "Some teams are taking advantage of new roster regulations to spend a ton of money. Some (cough ... Utah) are not." Nobody is picking the Royals to make it into the playoffs. Hopefully we can surprise someone.
It looks like they have 22 of 26 roster spots filled. I don't know how many international slots they have used or how much allocation money they have left, but it does seem like people that report on the league think that there is room to add difference makers. They do have that in common with RSL.
I can see why the owners might be cautious the first year. I’m curious about how serious they are for the Royals to be a top-tier team as we get into the 2nd season and beyond.
Kinda watched the game. I’ve spent all day stuck in the middle of my SIL’s divorce. Royal’s actually did well in the 1st half. Chicago came out in the 2nd and really took it to the Royals. Their first goal was totally deserved. Can’t remember who it was, but we missed a complete sitter in the 6 to tie it. Really unfortunate there, as well as several more chances that show this team has not had much time at all together. Chicago’s 2nd was due to some awful defense, and our CB just letting Chicago stroll through the 18 without closing down. She played like she was between the 18 and the sideline. Really weird to contrast that with Vera who would have absolutely demolished whoever was there, possibly giving up a pk and/or red. Oh well. That kind of goal should be “fixable.” All-in-all, the Royals didn’t look totally out of place in the game. And Chicago had a couple of stellar GK saves (she looked really familiar. Was she on Del Loy’s Royals?) that made the score line more lopsided than it “should” have been.
Alyssa Naeher (the Red Stars GK) has started for the USWNT the past two World Cups and has more than 100 caps, which is why she looks familiar to you. Chicago is at the bottom of several power rankings to start the season, so they aren't an elite NWSL team.