Things are about to get very real for Utah Royals FC
After an offseason of building a team and roster from scratch, the expansion club returns to the National Women's Soccer League one week from tonight with a home opener against the Chicago Red Stars.
In exactly one week, Utah Royals FC will be headed into the real thing.
The Royals held their final tune-up for the 2024 NWSL season Friday night with a closed-door scrimmage against BYU, and while official results and stats weren’t kept for the friendly, it did provide the players an opportunity for a dress rehearsal at America First Field that becomes all-too-real in one week’s time.
“So exciting; Saturday’s a big one,” said Royals rookie Ally Sentnor, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NWSL draft out of North Carolina. “I think I’m just learning from my teammates every single day, the way they communicate on the field and push me to be a better player is the only thing I can ask for on a team. I’m excited for us to showcase all of that starting next week.”
Here’s one thing to know from Friday night: Sentnor is the real deal, an attacking machine well beyond her 20-year-old child-like love for the game who left multiple seasons of eligibility on the table at UNC to turn pro early.
And another that we can confirm: former U.S. international Allie Long is officially on trial with the Royals. The 36-year-old attacker who most recently scored three goals in 39 appearances over three seasons with Gotham FC was available for head coach Amy Rodriguez’s side Friday night, though she hasn’t signed a contract as Utah sits one week out from re-entering the top flight in North American women’s soccer.
Next week’s debut will also be the first NWSL match with head coach Rodriguez in charge as the former U.S. international and one-time Utah Royals captain makes her managerial debut in the league.
“The team is super excited,” Rodriguez said. “I think we wish we could’ve started the season tonight; we’re ready for it. But being the coach and knowing where we’re at, I think it’s good that we have another week. The NWSL is going to be a grind and a tough one. I’ll take every day I can leading into it to prepare, to be ready, and to be prepped.”
What’s the difference between A-Rod the player and A-Rod the coach, then?
“She’s still pretty much the same,” Utah defender Kate Del Fava said. “She’s still intense, and so competitive. But I think she’s grown into this role so great and I can’t wait to see how she grows further this year and how we develop under her.”
Del Fava was drafted by the Royals, played in Utah during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and left for Kansas City with the former iteration of the club — one that included Rodriguez. She returned to the Royals in December, with Utah sending $75,000 in allocation money to the Kansas City Current in exchange for the reliable center back and the No. 4 overall draft pick that eventually became BYU midfielder Brecken Mozingo.
“Amy is the best in instilling confidence in her players, even when I was a rookie,” Del Fava added. “She always made me feel like a confident, great player. I’ve just grown on that every year and hoping to grow on that this year.”
A lot of that comfort goes back to Rodriguez, who makes her players feel comfortable with their roles during games after taking it all in at training.
“She really lets us play and be creative, to take chances and take some risks on the field, which I really appreciate,” added Sentnor, who recently returned to Utah from U.S. U-20 national team camp. “Being able to feel safe doing that is really important. But I’m learning a lot from her, and also off the field, watching film and everything else.”