URFC Summer Break Preview

After their historic start to this season, which includes a club record nine game unbeaten streak, the Utah Royals enter this summer break in an unfamiliar situation. At the time of writing, they sit in 1st place in the table with 23 points, just two shy of their total the last two seasons. So this summer break, unlike the last two, isn’t about righting the ship. It’s about (1) making improvements to ensure this team will continue to compete for the trophies they’ve done well to put themselves in contention for, and (2) starting to look ahead to next season.

On that first point, this summer may be a real litmus test of the Miller family’s ambitions. A disappointing window could be a sign of an ownership group that’s fine with settling for a positive start to the season with a cushy schedule and accepting whatever may follow in the back half of the year. A great window on the other hand, shows a real commitment to winning and creating a top team in the NWSL. Even just looking ahead to later in the season, you need an elite squad to make a deep run into the playoffs in November. It’s key that this team continues to improve.

And looking ahead to next season, the main concern I have with this roster is the age curve. The average age of the squad is 25.92, which isn’t terrible, but the average age of URFC’s starting eleven is usually around 28.5. What’s even more concerning is the amount of contribution that’s coming from the older players on the team. Thirteen of the Royals’ 27 goals and assists have come from Mina Tanaka and Cloé Lacasse, who are both in their 30s. 21 of the Royals’ goals and assists have come from players over 28. I really hate to rag on players’ ages, but a team getting 78% of its goal contributions from players over 28 is not set up well for the future. Now, when the team is doing well and doesn’t need immediate fixes, is the time for this front office to turn at least one eye to the longevity of their squad.

Since the free agency period (when players are free to negotiate with any team regarding 2027 contracts) begins on July 1st, the June break is usually when teams look to exercise options or extend players. Anyone not extended will appear on a master list of free agents put out by the NWSLPA in July. The URFC players that could be on that free agent list are:

To be clear, I have no insider information, but in my educated opinion:

As for potential additions to look for this summer, the Royals actually don’t have a ton of wiggle room. Twenty-four of URFC’s 26 roster spots are currently occupied, and with Alex Loera’s impending return, that’s likely soon to be up to 25. That leaves this front office with one (1) roster spot to work with. There are opportunities to loan players- Mozingo, Nagai, and Simmonds jump off the page in that respect- or move players on. But, I would guess we’re probably looking at one or two additions to the Royals roster this summer.

Here’s some places I would look if I was the front office to improve the team. For the most part, I’ve stuck with younger, NWSL talent. Younger, because of the age curve, and NWSL talent because it’s the best way to avoid the breaking in period you so often get with international transfers. The Royals need players who can hit the ground running. I’ve also ~tried~ to give one realistic option and one pie in the sky option. What’s doable depends on the Millers’ willingness to spend.

Ok I know I’m immediately breaking the rules I just set (Staab is 29), but would a Del Fava-Staab center back pairing not feed families? With the speed and defensive acumen of Del Fava, Staab would be left free to pass and create, which she is borderline world class at. It would be hard to get her out of Chicago, but a spot in a top team in the league and a (knock on wood) playoff appearance could be awfully alluring.

While not a name I would’ve predicted pulling out in the beginning of the season, Staude has quietly put together a solid start to the season. She’s been in the 95th percentile in chances created compared to other center backs, and has averaged 3.11 long balls per 90 and an 87.4% overall pass success rate. She has the creative attributes to complement Del Fava and is only 25. You would also assume her minutes at the Courage will dry up as Natalie Jacobs and Maycee Bell get healthy.

I know, I know, I’m breaking my own rules again. But Camberos has NWSL experience so I don’t think she would fully count as an “international transfer.” Anyways, as we all saw in the recent CONCACAF Champions Cup playoffs, she absolutely has the juice. Her existing relationship with Palacios is an additional plus. It would be hard to get her out of Mexico, especially given that she would have to split minutes with Lacasse, but a signing like Camberos would be a real statement of intent from the URFC ownership and front office.

I suspect a lot of people will read that name and think “who’s that?”, but Hladek was actually American Soccer Analysis NCAA Women’s Soccer Scouting Dashboard’s favorite left winger last offseason. She got an invite to Seattle’s preseason and went on to sign a short-term deal with the team until June. Her lack of a long contract and playing time does give me pause, but her college numbers are so spectacular that I’d be willing to take a chance and give her a contract. Plus, she’s a Utah local and could be tempted with a return home.

Kitahata was a top prospect before the season, but hasn’t found the minutes she probably would have wanted at Gotham so far this year. She’s appeared in 4 matches, logging 133 minutes total. Given the sauce she showed in college, this simply cannot stand. She had the gall for a good shot and an eye for a key pass, which makes her an ideal candidate for the Tanaka School. The Royals can also promise she won’t play at fullback, which seems potentially convincing.

I didn’t intend to basically go shopping at Gotham for this section, but a team that has an attack that includes Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw, Esther Gonzalez, Midge Purce, and Jordynn Dudley is bound to have some spare talent lurking in the background. Schupansky has taken a slight step back from her breakout year in 2025, but has still put out solid expected assist numbers, 0.16 xA per 90. The more prominent role the Royals can likely offer could get her closer to her heights of last year.