Mikayla Cluff's return to Utah won't be as the same Mikayla Colohan that left
Mikayla Cluff's return to Utah won't be as the same Mikayla Colohan that left
The former BYU midfielder who played with the Utah Royals Reserves in 2019 was the first player signed to the newly rebranded Utah Royals FC that will return to the NWSL in 2024.
Mikayla (Colohan) Cluff won’t suit up for the Utah Royals organization for the first time in 2024 when the team makes its return to the NWSL.
She’s never appeared in a Royals first-team match. But while starring at nearby BYU, the Kaysville native who earned Utah’s Ms. Soccer honors as a senior at Davis High led a group of collegiate all-stars with the Utah Royals Reserves.
The team, coached by then-Utah Royals assistant Amy LePeilbet, advanced all the way to the WPSL national title match before eventually folding prior to the Royals’ disbanding from the league. But Cluff was a star for the team, even scoring a goal in the title match against Pensacola FC.
So when representatives from Utah and head coach Amy Rodriguez reached out to Cluff and the Orlando Pride about acquiring the former 14th overall pick in the 2021 NWSL draft, it all felt familiar to her.
Familiar, but also different.
“There’s some familiarity … but I feel that the whole club is rebranded,” Cluff told a panel of media Wednesday after signing with the Royals. “There’s new staff. It’s a completely different club now, and that’s a positive thing … to build something from the bottom up.”
Cluff is Utah, born and raised, a La Roca FC product who led the Darts to three-straight state titles and a MaxPreps national banner before earning Ms. Soccer honors by the Deseret News in 2016.
She continued her career at BYU, where then-Mikayla Colohan led the Cougars to the NCAA College Cup championship match in 2021, earned NCAA Women’s Division I Player of the Year honors by TopDrawerSoccer, and finished her career as the second-highest goalscorer in program history with 53 goals.
But Cluff, who married former BYU baseball standout Jackson Cluff (now with the Washington Nationals organization), is a different player since joining Orlando two years ago.
She’s still got that attacking talent. But Cluff has become a more well-rounded midfielder after her time in Florida, finishing the 2023 season in the top-10 in the league in both tackles and tackles won.
Of course, the 2021 WCC Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist can still score, too; she’s notched four goals and an assist in 51 appearances with the Pride.
It’s just not the only piece of her game.
“I think I’ve grown in a lot of ways,” she said. “I played a different role in my first two years in the NWSL than I did at BYU; I wasn’t as much of an attacking player. But I’m always open to playing whatever role is needed. And I think I shaped my game to be more of an overall midfielder. I think I’m capable of being productive in any role, and that’s the experience that Orlando gave me.”
Listen to Cluff’s first interview as a member of the newly relaunched Utah Royals FC on the Salt City FC podcast feed.
What did the Orlando Pride do for you in your development as a pro?
“Orlando’s been great. They drafted me and I played my rookie and second year with them, and I learned so much and developed on the field, growing as a pro and a person. They are building something really special there.
“I enjoyed my time there, and I am grateful to everybody who contributed to my growth and success. But I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to come back home … I’m very happy for the future.”
What made the newly relaunched Utah Royals the right fit for you?
“Obviously, this being my hometown has a big draw to it. But I wouldn’t say that was everything. I remember what I was doing when I heard Amy would be the head coach, and I think I got the chills when it happened. To have the opportunity and the potential to play for her, the legend she is, it just really excited me. That was a big selling point as well.”
What does it mean to have an NWSL club back in Utah, your home state?
”I think it’s huge. It’s a great state with so many fans that support the game, as we saw with the original Royals. It’s just really exciting for that to return, and for fans to continue supporting.
“There’s so much good, quality soccer here and I think it’s important to have professionals in their backyard, to strive to become and set goals to reach. It’s a great environment for an NWSL team.”
What tone to you hope to set?
“I hope it shows that Utah wants to get top quality players in the league, and to build something special. But we want no lower standard than winning an NWSL championship; that needs to be the goal. And I feel like Utah is doing everything on their end to show that and work towards it.”
Can you think about your Royals debut next March yet?
“So far, I’ve tried to just take it one day at a time. But now that it’s official and I can have a sigh of relief, I’m very pumped. I cannot wait to play in front of the fans here. I really can’t contain my excitement.”