After 292 days away, Lauren Flynn makes return to Utah Royals lineup in 1-0 loss to Houston
The second-year center back made her first appearance in an NWSL regular-season match since July 7 in the Royals’ 1-0 loss Friday to the Dash.
Lauren Flynn knew she’d likely see her first active minutes in a Utah Royals kit when the team traveled to Houston, but she didn’t necessarily envision it happening like it did Friday night.
The second-year center back made her first appearance in an NWSL regular-season match since July 7 in the Royals’ 1-0 loss to the Dash on Delanie Sheehan’s 80th-minute goal, coming on as an early sub after a grueling recovery from bilateral compartment syndrome in her lower legs.
It was a return 292 yards in the making. But who’s counting? (We weren’t; the team admins tweeted it after the match)
After surgery, a grueling rehab process, and rounds of consultation with the Royals’ medical staff, the Florida State alum admitted there were moments when she wasn’t sure she’d ever be the same again.
“Like when I saw my scars, that was tough,” she said, before adding:
“Little by little, I was starting to feel like myself. Being able to feel like myself in a real game, it’s 100% worth it. It took away any doubt … and getting my first game back makes me very happy.”
At the time of her injury, Flynn led the Royals in combined tackles and passes intercepted. The former No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft even took save of the week honors for a recovery header in Utah’s first season since rejoining the league a year ago.
After setting the bar high during a strong start to her rookie season and the disheartening injury that followed, Flynn admits there were moments when she wasn’t sure she’d be back to her same self when — or if, perhaps? — she made her return to the pitch.
The recovery was often as much of a mental battle as a physical one, she told Amplify Utah.
By the looks of Friday night’s return, those concerns were unwarranted. Utah coach Jimmy Coenraets said the plan was always to give Flynn her first game action since one of his first matches as a then-interim head coach, likely around halftime to put Flynn next to Kate Del Fava at center back, move Ana Tejada higher into the midfield, and pull newly signed Cece Kizer from her first start as she acclimates to a new team that now sits 11th in the table with a 1-1-4 record.
Of course, plans change. They did, at least, when Claudia Zornoza went down with what appeared to be a non-contact lower-leg injury in the 20th minute.
Instantly, Flynn leaped off the bench. After several last-minute instructions, she took her spot in the back line next to Del Fava, pushed Tejada into the midfield, and did her thing.
On the final whistle, Flynn went straight to her coach and asked what she can do to be better. The result was a loss, Utah’s third of the year that snapped Houston’s two-game losing skid, so that was natural as well.
“She’s just that type of player: very high when it comes to a learning ability. She wants to perform,” Coenraets said. “So her rehab was LoFlo being LoFlo, being able to perform every day and putting in the work.
“Certainly, we have a lot of injuries. We’re in a bad spot at the minute … But I appreciate all the efforts that all the rehab players are making. In the next few weeks, we should be getting a few more players back in the ranks. Then we can start building again.”
One of those players is Flynn. And LoFlo is ready to go after “giving nothing but 110% in everything she does,” teammate Mandy McGlynn said.
“I was not worried one bit with her stepping back in,” McGlynn said. “She looked so natural … and I was so proud to see her out there.”
Added Flynn: “So much credit to the medical staff and my teammates. They have been so encouraging.
“On the days when I go in an struggle a bit, they are always there to help me up. That helps so much. Coming to this moment of no pain, no worry, it’s very, very special. And I’m just very happy to be back out there.”
Utah is back home next Saturday, May 3 to face the North Carolina Courage. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT.
MATCH REPORT
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY
Houston Dash: Delanie Sheehan (unassisted) — 80’
LINEUPS
Utah Royals FC (4-2-3-1): Mandy McGlynn, Janni Thomsen, Kate Del Fava ©, Ana Tejada, Nuria Rábano, Dana Foederer, Claudia Zornoza (Lauren Flynn, 23’), Ally Sentnor, Cece Kizer (Aria Nagai, 65’), Brecken Mozingo (Macey Fraser, 78’), Aisha Solorzano (Madison Pogarch, 79’)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Ana Maria Guzman, Mikayla Cluff, Imani Dorsey, Sydney Jones
Houston Dash (3-4-3): Jane Campbell; Paige Nielsen, Katie Lind, Christen Westphal; Avery Patterson, Danielle Colaprico (Diana Ordóñez, 69’), Delanie Sheehan, Ryan Gareis; Maggie Graham, Messiah Bright (Bárbara Olivieri, 62’), Yazmeen Ryan
Subs not used: Liz Beardsley, Kiki Van Zanten, Sophie Schmidt, Sarah Puntigam, Belle Briede, Rebeca, Abby Smith
Stats Summary: HOU / UTA
Possession: 43 / 57
Shots: 7 / 13
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Fouls: 8 / 9
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
HOU: Danielle Colaprico (Yellow Card - 27’)
UTA: Ana Tejada (Yellow Card - 73’)
UTA: Nuria Rábano (Yellow Card - 86’)
HOU: Bárbara Olivieri (Yellow Card - 89’)