Sports stats



NWSL Utah Royals FC

Utah Royals FC Acquires Kaysville's Own Mikayla Cluff from Orlando Pride

November 15, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals FC News Release


HERRIMAN, Utah - Utah Royals FC acquired former BYU star MF Mikayla Cluff and the No. 26 pick in the 2024 NWSL College Draft in exchange for $90,000 in Allocation Money and expansion protection. With the initial trade of the Club's second era, URFC kicks off the roster-building process for its expansion 2024 season by bringing home the Kaysville, Utah native Cluff, formerly the No. 14 pick in the 2021 NWSL draft and a veteran of 51 NWSL appearances, including four goals and one assist for Orlando.

Utah Royals FC are set to return to the NWSL as a 2024 expansion side, along with Northern California's Bay FC. The 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft is set to be held on Friday, Dec. 15, beginning at 5:00 p.m. MT, with Utah Royals FC currently slated to select No. 1 overall.

"While I've enjoyed my time in Orlando over the last two seasons, I'm extremely excited to return to play in my hometown and bring back this Club for the state and for the fans," said Cluff, signed to Royals FC through 2025 and already back in Utah to prepare for the upcoming NWSL season. "I'm very thankful for my time with the Pride, and I wish them luck, but now I'm focused on working with the legend (Royals FC Head Coach) Amy Rodriguez to bring a championship to Utah."

A native of Kaysville, Utah, Cluff returns to Utah home, where she starred collegiately at Brigham Young University. One of the most decorated players in Cougar history, Cluff started every game but two over the course of her BYU career, helping lead the team to the 2021 NCAA Championship game. Individually, she was named WCC Player of the Year three times, while earning the 2021 WCC Offensive Player of the Year honor while also being named a 2021 Hermann Trophy finalist.

"We're so excited to welcome Mikayla back to Utah," said URFC Head Coach Amy Rodriguez. "A player who has had so much success in the state at both the collegiate and high school level and has now shown to be an excellent NWSL player. She offers versatility in the midfield, which is so valuable in an expansion year. When evaluating players, we also put a big emphasis on their character and Mikayla is a great first step in building the culture we want in our locker room. We know how much she is loved in this state, and we can't wait for our fans to cheer her on in Utah again."

During her two-season NWSL career, Cluff has made 51 appearances across all competitions as a member of the Pride, totaling four goals and one assist. The No. 14 overall selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Cluff scored her first goal as a professional on May 18, 2022, a game-winner against North Carolina. Cluff went on to score two more goals this season for Orlando, one in a 3-1 victory over San Diego and another in a 5-0 rout of Chicago.

"Bringing Kayla home is a key first step as we build out the 2024 roster," said URFC Sporting Director Kelly Cousins. "Obviously her pedigree as a player in this league is only augmented by her Utah roots and BYU success. We are elated to welcome her home, we know our fans cannot wait to fill America First Field and cheer on Utah's own, and we look forward to several more player announcements in the coming days and weeks."

TRANSACTION: Utah Royals FC acquires MF Mikayla Cluff and the No. 26 overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Draft from Orlando Pride in exchange for $90,000 in Allocation Money and 2024 expansion protection from Utah Royals FC.

KEY UPCOMING NWSL DATES:

Sun, Nov. 19 - NWSL Trade Window Closes

Mon., Nov. 20 - NWSL Free Agency Opens

Tues., Nov. 21 - Waiver Wire Commences

Wed., Nov. 22 - Waiver Wire Concludes

Tues., Dec. 12 - Transaction Moratorium Begins - Protected/Unprotected player lists distributed to Utah Royals FC / Bay FC

Fri., Dec. 15 - Expansion Draft

Sat., Dec. 16 - Transaction Moratorium Ends

ABOUT UTAH ROYALS FC:

For the 2024 season and beyond, Real Salt Lake's Blitzer / Smith ownership groups have partnered to bring the National Women's Soccer League back to Utah, as Utah Royals FC return in the Spring. Led by Head Coach Amy Rodriguez, President Michelle Hyncik and Sporting Director Kelly Cousins, URFC aims to seize upon the success the NWSL enjoyed during its first iteration on the Wasatch Front from 2018-20 and grow the game to even greater heights going forward. Led by visionary sports business entrepreneur Jess Gelman - the founder of the Sloan Sports Analytics Institute, along with innovative NBA executive Daryl Morey - Utah Royals FC blazes new trails in 2024.

2024 Utah Royals FC Full-Season Ticket Packages NOW ON SALEat www.UtahRoyalsFC.com or by calling 844.Real.Tix.

Check out the Utah Royals FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 15, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central