Royals Coach Laura Harvey Leaves For Job With U.S. Women’s National Team

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Royals and Laura Harvey have officially parted ways, according to a statement from the club.

Harvey accepted a job as head coach of the U-20 Women’s National Team.

The Equalizer was the first outlet to report the news early last week. The club confirmed early on the morning of January 6.

BREAKING NEWS: Laura Harvey is leaving her job as head coach of the Utah Royals to pursue an opportunity with U.S. Soccer, @TheDanLauletta reports.

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➡️ https://t.co/Q1qfrwVxAK#NWSL #USWNT pic.twitter.com/dUjeIi5jrZ

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) January 3, 2020

Vlatoko Andonovski was recently named head coach for the USWNT after spending seven years in the NWSL while also adding two NWSL Championships to his name. His predecessor, Jill Ellis, recently stepped down following her second World Cup Championship in France during the summer of 2019.

Harvey and Andonovski have crossed paths throughout their times spent in the NWSL. Following Harvey’s departure from the then Seattle Reign in 2017, Andonovski filled the vacancy left by Harvey in Seattle.

The future's bright ✨ pic.twitter.com/n7Q6BdiAGg

— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) December 31, 2019

She leaves the Royals after compiling a 19-17-12 record. The club was unable to reach the postseason under Harvey, however, the expectations for 2020 were high following the consistent progress shown throughout her first two seasons.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two years as the Head Coach of Utah Royals FC and working with all of the staff involved with the RSL family,” Harvey said. “I would like to thank Dell Loy Hansen for the opportunity to lead the brand new Utah Royals FC in the NWSL. Coaching internationally was the only job that would have interested me moving away from this role at Utah Royals FC. I’ve been wanting to get back into coaching international football, so I’m looking forward to the new challenge with the U-20 United States Youth National Team. We are looking to qualify immediately for the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, so I will hit the ground running. I know that the future is bright for the Utah Royals FC and the NWSL, and I look forward to following all the club’s success.”

While Harvey will be missed, her departure comes to no surprise. Prior to Harvey taking the job at the Royals, she was reported to be interested in taking an expanded role within the United States Soccer Federation, prior to the move falling through.

Earlier this week it was reported that Harvey was scheduled to take on a temporary role with the U-18 WNT as the team prepared for an upcoming Four Nations tournament in Florida.