Off to a 2-11-2 start in their inaugural season, the expansion Utah Royals FC fired head coach Amy Rodriguez and goalkeeper coach Maryse Bard-Martel and reassigned team president Michelle Hyncik on Sunday.
Assistant Jimmy Coenraets will take over as interim head coach.
Hyncik will move to a new role in owner David Blitzer’s office and no longer will oversee day-to-day operations.
Rodriguez, a former star for the U.S. women’s national team and the original Utah Royals, was hired in April for her first head coaching position. But the Royals never got on track under Rodriguez, scoring a league-low seven goals while allowing 27.
In Rodriguez’s final game on Saturday, the Royals played to a 0-0 draw against the visiting Portland Thorns.
While the club begins the search for a new team president, Real Salt Lake president John Kimball will handle the business side for the Royals.
“This expansion season has been full of lessons and learnings, and we are now focused on reorganizing leadership efforts on and off the pitch,” Kimball said Sunday in a statement. “We are grateful and appreciative of Amy, Michelle and Maryse and their efforts in helping re-introduce the Royals to Utah’s incredible fans and the international soccer community.
“We believe women’s sports are a vital part of Utah’s culture. Our club and ownership group are committed to delivering a product our fans will be proud of. While we have faced adversity this season, we are focused on building a team off and on the field that can compete at the highest levels for years to come.”
–Field Level Media
