2018 Player Profiles: Abby Smith

Abby Smith was picked by Utah Royals FC as the #5 pick out of the Boston Breakers Dispersal Draft in February. She was one of the few players who were not from FC Kansas City at the beginning of the season. After missing much of the 2016 season with a season-ending knee injury in Boston and requiring a platelet-rich plasma injection in her previously injured knee, forcing her to miss time in 2017, Smith returned for the 2018 season fully healthy.

With Nicole Barnhart working her way back to fitness after ankle surgery in the off-season, Smith won the starting goalkeeper spot and started in goal for URFC’s first game of the season against the Orlando Pride. A controversial PK was the only goal Smith allowed in the 1-1 draw against the Pride. Smith started every game until she suffered a concussion in Utah’s 2-1 loss versus Orlando on July 14th.

That concussion would keep her from seeing playing time until URFC’s 1-0 loss versus Seattle on August 11th where she made five saves. Smith never seemed to fully find her groove again and didn’t see any minutes in the remaining three games of the season.

In 2018, Smith had six clean sheets in 17 games with a 63% success rate on her saves. She also had a 59% pass rate success. Smith was also selected in the NWSL Team of the Month for May.

So far this off-season, Smith has been involved in the community. Smith was one of 21 NWSL player to attend C level coaching license course taught at the Zion’s Bank Real Academy early in the offseason. Smith has also visited classrooms and made community appearances for Utah Royals FC. Most of these appearances in connection with RSL, RSL Foundation, and Chevron.

Smith is expected to be back in Victory Gold for the 2019 NWSL season.