There were injuries to start the season, then just as the Royals had some of those players get healthy, six players starting leaving Utah for France to compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Three of those six — Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara and Christen Press of the United States — only played two games with the Royals. The other three — Katie Bowen, Rachel Corsie and Desiree Scott — left later.
And even as the tournament chugged closer and closer to the USWNT winning its fourth title, other Utah players became unavailable. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta was suspended for two games.