Utahns in the NWSL: UVU's Stainbrook, Utah's Brown sign with Washington; BYU's Gomes off to Chicago
Utahns in the NWSL: UVU's Stainbrook, Utah's Brown sign with Washington; BYU's Gomes off to Chicago
New contracts are rolling off the presses across the NWSL, including Utah Valley's Heather Stainbrook and Utah's Courtney Brown signing with the Washington Spirit and BYU alum Nadia Gomes in Chicago.
The Royals aren’t the only NWSL squad adding an Utah accent to their 2024 roster.
The Washington Spirit announced Monday that former Utah Valley midfielder Heather Stainbrook had signed a three-year contract with the club.
The former Alta High star joined the Spirit for preseason training camp as a non-roster invitee after going undrafted in the 2024 NWSL draft in January. The five-year veteran of the Wolverines’ midfield earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in each of her last three seasons, including helping UVU to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back WAC titles.
Stainbrook had 40 goals and 14 game-winners in 103 career matches at Utah Valley, both school records, and her 25 career assists in five seasons ranks second in program history.
"Reflecting on my journey at UVU, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the program, my coaches, and my teammates who have all played a pivotal role in my development," Stainbrook said in a statement after becoming the first Utah Valley player to sign with the NWSL. "The guidance and unwavering belief from my coaches have been instrumental in shaping me into the player and person I am today. These past five years have challenged me, fostering growth beyond my expectations.
“As I step into this new chapter with the Washington Spirit, I carry with me not only the skills but also the passion for soccer that UVU has instilled in me. I'm thrilled for the opportunity to continue playing the game I cherish at a professional level, all while representing UVU on a national stage."
Stainbrook joins former Utah midfielder Courtney Brown on a rookie three-year deal with Washington after the Spirit selected the Fremont High alum with the No. 49 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft.
Brown scored 15 goals with 15 assists in 94 appearances with the Utes over five seasons, and also spent time running youth camps with former BYU star Ashley Hatch — now her teammate with the Spirit and a former volunteer assistant coach at Utah Valley.
Hatch signed an extension earlier this offseason with the Spirit that will keep her under contract with Washington for three more years, with a club option for 2027.
The new signings come four days after former BYU and Brighton High School standout Nadia Gomes signed with the Chicago Red Stars, who will open the 2024 season Saturday at Utah. The Portuguese international joins the Red Stars on a one-year deal with a one-year option after scoring 17 goals in 15 appearances with San Francisco Glens SC en route to USL W League national player of the year honors.
Gomes was previously the No. 23 overall pick by the Orlando Pride in the 2018 NWSL college draft out of BYU, where she tallied 23 goals with 23 assists in 83 appearances with NCAA third-team All-American and West Coast Conference player of the year honors in 2016.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to play for the Chicago Red Stars, and for being surrounded by an amazing group of players and an organization who has welcomed me with open arms,” Gomes said.