URFC Head Coach Laura Harvey Considered Candidate For USWNT Job

SANDY, Utah – ESPN announcer and former United States Women’s National Team defender Kate Markgraf said that Utah Royals FC boss Laura Harvey is considered a candidate for the head coaching vacancy left by Jill Ellis.

Ellis stepped down from the position on Tuesday after leading the United States to back-to-back World Cup titles.

Harvey is currently in her second season with the Royals as she is the clubs first head coach.

Markgraf said on ESPN the likely USWNT coaching candidates are Laura Harvey, Paul Riley, Vlatko Andonovski & Mark Krikorian. Markgraf would be in charge of the hire if she becomes GM. I'm hearing federation leadership would likely prefer a woman as coach—only one here is Harvey. https://t.co/NMtYSQ7TbW

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) July 31, 2019

According to Grant Wahl from Sports Illustrated, the federation leadership prefers a woman to be the coach and Harvey is the only one on the potential candidates list.

Harvey has been a head coach since 2006 when she was with Birmingham City. She then went to Arsenal from 2008-12, and the Seattle Reign from 2013-17.

She was named the NWSL Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015.

Harvey enjoyed a playing career with Birmingham City and the Wolverhampton Wanderers.

She is from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England.

The Royals are currently sitting in seventh place in the standings with 18 points. They are one point behind the Houston Dash for sixth place and two points behind Reign FC for fifth. Utah will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Chicago to face the Redstars. The match will be streamed on KSLSports.com and the KSL TV app following the RSL game against New York City FC.