4 Utah Royals players are competing in the Summer Games
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Utah Royals fans will get a chance to root for some familiar faces during the Summer Games in Paris.
The big picture: A record number of National Women's Soccer League players are suiting up for Olympic competitions, and the NWSL reports it is fielding more players in the Games than any other league in the world.
- That's 56 players representing 11 countries, including the United States.
State of play: Macey Fraser (New Zealand), Amandine Henry (France), Ifeoma Onumonu (Nigeria) and Mina Tanaka (Japan) are playing in this year's Olympics.
Between the lines: The Utah soccer club paid a six-figure sum to sign midfielder Fraser, 22, to a three-year deal with an optional fourth, ESPN reported in April.
- Midfielder Henry, 34, has had a storied career overseas. She captained the French national team between 2017–2022 and was named the second-best player at the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Canada.
- Forward Onumonu, 30, previously played for multiple NWSL teams, like the NY/NJ Gotham FC, OL Reign, Boston Breakers and Portland Thorns.
- Forward Tanaka, 30, has played for Japan's national team since 2013.
By the numbers: The U.S. Women's National Team leads all countries, with 19 NWSL players, followed by Team Canada, with 10.
- NJ/NY Gotham and the Orlando Pride each have seven players on national teams, followed by the Portland Thorns FC and Washington Spirit, with six players each.
- 27 players will make their Olympics debut, including reigning NWSL MVP Kerolin and Sophia Smith, who's top three in goals, assists and shots on target.
- More than half of the first-time participants are 24 years old or younger.
What's next: Women's group stage matches begin today. Schedule
- Once the Olympics wrap up, the Royals will face off against Bay Football Club on Aug. 23 in their next home game.