Sandy • Ahead of the Aug. 3 road game against the Chicago Red Stars, the Utah Royals FC were shorthanded at the outside back position. Kelley O’Hara was away with the United States Women’s National Team on a Women’s World Cup victory tour, and veteran Rebecca Moros was injured.
In the two training sessions conducted before game day, a few players rotated into that position. One of those players was Mallory Weber, a midfielder the Royals acquired after the Portland Thorns waived her.
After one of the sessions concluded, Royals coach Laura Harvey approached Weber with an opportunity: play outside back against Red Stars.