Utah Royals FC Acquires Kaysville’s Own Mikayla Cluff From Orlando Pride

On Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, Utah Royals FC made a significant move in the soccer world by acquiring former BYU star MF Mikayla Cluff and the No. 26 pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. This trade involved $90,000 in Allocation Money and expansion protection. With this trade, URFC initiated the process of building their roster for the upcoming 2024 expansion season. Cluff, a native of Kaysville, Utah, returns home after a successful tenure in Orlando, where she made 51 NWSL appearances, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

Utah Royals FC is set to make a comeback to the NWSL as an expansion side for the 2024 season, along with Northern California’s Bay FC. The highly anticipated 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft, presented by Ally, is scheduled for Friday, December 15th at 5:00 p.m. MT. Utah Royals FC is poised to make the first overall selection, and fans can watch the event live on CBS Sports Network as the two expansion sides will pick up to 12 players each.

Mikayla Cluff expressed her excitement about returning to her hometown and playing for Utah Royals FC. Having signed with Royals FC through 2025, she is committed to bringing a championship to Utah with the help of Head Coach Amy Rodriguez. Cluff’s successful collegiate career at Brigham Young University, where she was a standout player, makes her return to Utah even more exciting.

Cluff’s return to Utah has garnered praise from URFC Head Coach Amy Rodriguez, who sees her as a valuable addition to the team due to her versatility and character. As a player who has excelled at both the collegiate and NWSL level, Cluff’s homecoming is highly anticipated by the fans.

In her two-season NWSL career, Cluff made 51 appearances for the Pride, showcasing her skills with four goals and one assist. Her return to Utah has been emphasized as a crucial step in building the 2024 roster by URFC Sporting Director Kelly Cousins.

The trade between Utah Royals FC and Orlando Pride involved $90,000 in Allocation Money and 2024 expansion protection from Utah Royals FC in exchange for MF Mikayla Cluff and the No. 26 overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

• Sun, Nov. 19 – NWSL Trade Window Closes

• Mon., Nov. 20 – NWSL Free Agency Opens

• Tues., Nov. 21 – Waiver Wire Commences

• Wed., Nov. 22 – Waiver Wire Concludes

• Tues., Dec. 12 – Transaction Moratorium Begins; 

• Protected/Unprotected player lists distributed to Utah Royals FC / Bay FC

• Fri., Dec. 15 – Expansion Draft

• Sat., Dec. 16 – Transaction Moratorium Ends