RSL Women vs. Calgary Foothills: Match Preview

After opening the 2017 United Women’s Soccer with a 2-0 loss to So Cal Crush, Real Salt Lake Women invite the other league newcomers Calgary Foothills WFC to Utah for the first time tonight.

Calgary Foothills are a long-time fixture in the Alberta soccer scene, with a well-designed developmental pyramid providing a path for both men’s and women’s soccer in Canada. The women’s team was formed in 2015 with the aim to join the W-League, which would unfortunately and unexpectedly fold at the end of that year. Plans to join UWS for the inaugural season in 2016 were put on hold when the Canadian Soccer Association denied the application of Laval Comets and Quebec Dynamo for that year.

Head coach Troye Flannery has a strong roster for his first season, with many of Alberta’s best young women lined up to take the pitch for Foothills this year. Midfielder Sarah Kinzner leads the way, having caps for the Canada WNT at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels, and is preparing for her junior season with the University of Colorado, which had a very solid season last year. Calgary also has two players from last year’s champions Santa Clarita; midfielder Arielle Roy-Petitclerc and defender Melissa Roy will be strong pieces for the newly formed club.

RSLW will look to once again play strong with passing and possession at a high level as they had in their first match. The roster could be bolstered by the return of 16-year-old Alta High forward Brecken Mozingo, who just completed a week-long camp with the USWNT U17 team. The team also has strong scoring options with Jessica Vanderveur, Hailey Skolmoski, Wesley Hamblin, and Colette Smith, as well as a strong midfield creative presence from co-captain Annie Hawkins, Kira Sharp, and Katie Rogers.

Kickoff tonight is at 7 p.m. on the field at Davis High School in Kaysville.