Utah Royals retain 21 players, let three go

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Royals vs. Washington Spirit, soccer at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Saturday May 5, 2018. Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (23) and Utah Royals FC forward Amy Rodriguez (8) celebrate a goal by Utah Royals FC defender Kelley O'Hara (5). The Utah Royals have retained 21 players from its inaugural roster, the team announced Monday.

U.S. Women’s National Team players Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara, Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez were all retained, as were Desiree Scott and Diana Matheson, who play on the Canadian National Team.

The Royals offered new contracts to the following five players: Abby Smith, Samantha Johnson, Maddy Laddish,…