Imani Dorsey Brings Perspective To Utah Royals FC
Jan 25, 2024, 6:36 PM
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 17: Imani Dorsey #28 of NJ/NY Gotham FC dribbles against Washington Spirit at Red Bull Arena on April 17, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.
SANDY, Utah – Imani Dorsey, the 2018 NWSL Rookie of the Year, knows how long and challenging a professional soccer season can be. After winning a championship with Gotham FC, Dorsey decided to step away from the game to focus on her own mental health, not knowing when, or if she would play again.
Dorsey and other players met with the media in the first of two Royals FC media days at America First Field on Thursday, January 25.
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Imani Dorsey makes her international debut! The Gotham defender replaces Emily Fox at outside back for the last 15 minutes.#AUSvUSA | 0 – 1 pic.twitter.com/N4a2QhWiVl
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) November 30, 2021
“Every player has to learn their routine,” Dorsey said when asked about balancing being a professional athlete and still experiencing life. “Developing that work/life balance has been so important to me.”
Dorsey said she plans on encouraging her teammates to experience the Salt Lake City community and learn about their passions away from soccer.
“When you’re able to put in all of your focus on the field and then go home, and there’s another aspect to you. Remembering that is important throughout the year… That balance is what keeps a team together. Finding that common thread that helps you push through hard times.”
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— Utah Royals (@UtahRoyalsFC) January 21, 2024
With one of the youngest teams in the league, averaging 24-years-old, Dorsey expects the Royals to have plenty of opportunities to grow together.
“Making that effort to look after each other throughout the year will really help in those moments when things are getting hard.
The current NWSL collective bargaining agreement provides players with up to six months of paid leave in effort to support individuals mental health.
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About Utah Royals FC
The Royals announced on March 11 that the club will return to Utah and the National Women’s Soccer League for the 2024 season.
Founded in November 2017, the Royals played in Utah from 2018-20. The franchise moved to Kansas City in 2020 and has been playing in Missouri under the nickname “Currents. ”
Our kit launch is still about a month away…
but we promise it's better than theirs lol 🤪 pic.twitter.com/uaEAB1Py7K
— Utah Royals (@UtahRoyalsFC) January 24, 2024
In January 2022, a new Real Salt Lake ownership group, led by David Blitzer and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, took hold of the option to bring an NWSL club back to the state.
Twelve teams currently compete in the NWSL. The Royals return to NWSL play in the 2024 season.
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Brian Preece is a KSLsports.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s coverage of the Bees, Big League Utah, and Aggie athletics here.
