Royals Add Two More Replacement Players Ahead Of World Cup

SANDY, Utah – The Utah Royals have added a pair of new players as the team continues to field replacements while several stars are away for the Women’s World Cup in France.

The Royals announced on Wednesday the signing of goalkeeper Melissa Lowder and midfielder Alexa Newfield to national team replacement contracts. Both players are eligible to play right away.

Newfield will be making her second stint with the Royals after a brief run with the team in 2018. A graduate of North Carolina, Newfield has scored two goals, both in 2017, in 26 appearances in the NWSL.

#URFC sign 2️⃣ as National Team Replacements.
📝: https://t.co/gN6ssyDwMb pic.twitter.com/yILjPLE8OX

— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 29, 2019

Lowder comes to the team after a strong career at Santa Clara University. She made 60 starts in four season for the Broncos and posted 18 shutouts in goal.

The Royals will hit the road to face the Washington Spirit on Saturday at 5 p.m. The team sits in first place in the NWSL standings with 13 points and a record of 4-1-1.

This week’s game, while scheduled for 5 p.m., will air on tape-delay following the Real Salt Lake game against the New York Red Bulls on the KSLSports.com or KSL TV app.