April 20, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Utah Royals News Release
SANDY, Utah – Utah Royals FC has named World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time NWSL Champion, iconic USWNT forward and former Utah Royals FC Captain Amy Rodriguez as its Head Coach to lead the Club in its new era.
“Returning to Utah is a dream I never knew I had and it is with the utmost humility that I step into this role as your Club’s head coach,” Rodriguez said. “My time with the Royals is among the greatest years of my professional career. The Utah community fully embraced my family and made this state feel like home for not just myself, but my husband and kids as well. We were devastated to leave and I left feeling like there was still unfinished business on the table. I cannot put into words just how excited I am to get to work and bring Royalty back to this community.”
Rodriguez’s return to Utah as Head Coach makes her the first former American NWSL player in league history to lead the charge for a team in a head coaching capacity within the league. Additionally, she is the first Head Coach to have won an NWSL Championship as a player. Rodriguez is also only the second-ever World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist to lead an NWSL side, joining U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone.
As a player, Rodriguez spearheaded Utah Royals FC’s first iteration, serving as the Club’s captain, during which she scored 15 goals in 51 games across three seasons (2018-20). During her time as Utah Royals Club captain, Rodriguez became an integral and beloved member of the Utah community, leading the team in her engagement through meal-packing and other charitable educational opportunities and championing initiatives such as the Special Olympics, Kick Childhood Cancer. Rodriguez was honored as 2018 Utah Royals Humanitarian of the Year.
Throughout her entire professional career, Rodriguez scored 64 goals in 162 appearances, representing Utah Royals FC, North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, FC Kansas City and Kansas City Current. At the league level, Rodriguez racked up countless accolades, including back-to-back NWSL Championships with FC Kansas City, while earning both NWSL Best XI and NWSL Championship MVP honors.
Rodriguez’s extensive international career spanned 13 years with the United States, during which she helped the USA lift 13 trophies, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and multiple Olympic Gold Medals. Rodriguez recorded 30 goals and 22 assists in 132…