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Utah Royals FC Assistant Coach Amy LePeilbet Eligible to be Inducted to U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame

March 28, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals FC News Release


SANDY, UTAH - Utah Royals FC Assistant Coach Amy LePeilbet has met the criteria to be inducted to the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame for her accomplishments with the U.S. Women's National Team and throughout her WPS/NWSL career.

"There are so many fantastic players who have achieved that honor and I have so much respect for them, and I have so much respect for those nominated currently," said LePeilbet. "I have had the privilege of playing with so many fantastic women who really impacted me and I think I only became the person and player I am today, because of them. So to have this nomination, I can't even say more than that - it really is just an honor to even be on the list with so many of these incredible people."

In 2011, LePeilbet competed in the FIFA Women's World Cup held in Germany, where the U.S. took home a silver medal, playing in all six matches for team USA. The next year, LePeilbet was named to the 2012 Olympic team roster held in London where she played in five of the six matches on the way to a gold medal finish.

Before the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) was established, LePeilbet played in the W-League. The W-League was a developmental organization giving college players an opportunity to play with international players, while maintaining college eligibility. LePeilbet played six seasons in the W-League, and in 2008, earned the W-League championship title with the Pali Blues.

In the 2009 WPS General Draft, LePeilbet was drafted fourth overall by the Boston Breakers. In the league's inaugural season, she was selected as the 2009 Defender of the Year. LePeilbet played every minute of all 22 games for the Breakers in the 2010 season and earned Defender of the Year for the second consecutive year.

"I think she's humble, I think she has grit, I think she is resilient, I mean she was playing through injury and you could hardly tell. She was still one of the best players on the pitch every single day and I think that is just something every team needs to have and carry on through the generations,' said DF Becky Sauerbrunn. "She is somebody who has always wanted the best for whatever team she was with, and I think the Hall of Fame would be lucky to have her in there."

After enduring an injury and missing the inaugural NWSL season with the Chicago Red Stars in 2013, LePeilbet was traded to FC Kansas City in 2014, where she earned two NWSL championships in 2014 and 2015. She was named to the NWSL Best XI in her final season before announcing her retirement following the 2015 season.

After announcing her retirement, LePeilbet moved to Utah and began coaching fairly quickly with the Utah Avalanche club. She coached with Avalanche for two years to share her knowledge and love for the game. After conversations with Head Coach Laura Harvey and RSL General Manager Craig Waibel, LaPeilbet, joined the URFC coaching staff for its 2018 inaugural season and has been with the club since.

"I think Amy's playing career was met with a ton of challenges she overcame and just proved year and year out how accomplished she is as a defender. I think she got the rewards of that a little later on in her career and I feel like her knowledge, and her experience of what she went through as a player, she has now taken into her coaching," said Harvey. "Her knowledge and experience is priceless for young players because she went through everything, and I think she is gaining the recognition she deserves."

LePeilbet's achievements as a player and coach have been recognized by the U.S. Soccer Federation as she has been announced a candidate to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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