Utah Royals FC Makes Big Moves: Three Players Depart!

In a bold shift for the upcoming season, Utah Royals FC has announced significant roster changes, announcing the departure of midfielder Agnes Nyberg and forward Michele Vasconcelos, who have both been released from their contracts. Furthermore, forward Hannah Betfort is set to enter free agency after opting not to re-sign with the club. The organization extends its gratitude to all three athletes for their contributions and wishes them well in their future endeavors.

Player Departures

Agnes Nyberg, a promising 24-year-old Swedish midfielder, joined the Royals in 2024 as part of the club's expansion roster, coming from IK Uppsala. Unfortunately, her debut season was plagued by injuries, limiting her to just one match appearance after June. Throughout the season, Nyberg accumulated 651 minutes across 11 matches, with a starting role in eight of those games, showcasing her potential despite the setbacks.

Michele Vasconcelos, 30, a Utah native and beloved BYU Cougar star, made her return to the Royals as one of the few players to endure through both formations of the club. During the 2024 season, she played in 17 NWSL sanctioned matches, logging 311 minutes on the field. Notably, Vasconcelos scored a memorable goal in a celebrated 3-1 victory against her former club, the Portland Thorns, solidifying her legacy in Utah. She also contributed with an assist, proving her value on the pitch.

Hannah Betfort, 26, came to Utah after a trade with the Portland Thorns, exchanging allocation money and expansion draft protection. In her 2024 campaign with the Royals, she showcased her talent in 24 regular season matches, starting 18 and netting four goals. Her performance during the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup further demonstrated her skill, as she scored twice in the prestigious tournament.

Current Roster as of January 13, 2025

With these transitions, the current roster of Utah Royals FC as of January 13, 2025, is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: - Mandy McGlynn - Cristina Roque - Mia Justus DEFENDERS: - Kate Del Fava - Imani Dorsey - Olivia Griffitts - Madison Pogarch - Kaleigh Riehl - Lauren Flynn - Ana María Guzmán MIDFIELDERS: - Mikayla Cluff - Dana Foederer - Macey Fraser - Emily Gray - Ana Tejada - Ally Sentnor - Claudia Zornoza - Alex Loera FORWARDS: - Cloé Lacasse - Paige Monaghan - Brecken Mozingo - Mina Tanaka - KK Ream

As the Utah Royals focus on restructuring their roster for a stronger performance in the new season, fans will be eagerly awaiting news on potential signings and strategies for the upcoming NWSL campaign. Stay tuned for updates as the offseason progresses and key dates approach! What impact will these changes have on the team’s dynamics? Only time will tell!