When the Utah Royals embarked on their inaugural season in the National Women’s Soccer League in March, neither the players, coaches or front office knew what to expect. There were no win totals, no playoff or championship hopes in mind.
After all, the team had formed in only 90 days after Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen scooped up the roster remnants of the dissolved FC Kansas City franchise.
“I honestly didn’t have the time to have expectations,” said Royals and RSL general manager Craig Waibel.
But then the Royals started to show promise. Armed with Amy Rodriguez, Becky Sauerburnn, Kelley O’Hara and Christen Press — all of whom were mainstays on the U.