2018 Player Profiles: Brittany Ratcliffe

The inaugural season for Utah Royals FC was very entertaining, with us seeing many players debut and score for the club. Players were acquired in multiple ways, whether through the acquisition of FC Kansas City’s roster, through trade, or through signing from other clubs. Brittany Ratcliffe is one of those players who transferred from FC Kansas City.

Ratcliffe didn’t get much playing time this year, but when she did, she made an impact. She started four matches and played in only ten matches this year for a total of 366 minutes. In those 10 matches, she finished with four shots in total, with three on target.

The 24-year-old ended the year with two goals, both against the 2018 NWSL champions North Carolina Courage. Both goals occurred in North Carolina in a similar area of the field right outside the 18. Her first goal helped the Royals earn a draw. Her second goal on the season happened in the 94th minute, giving the Utah Royals the victory against the league leaders. Elise Thorsnes earned a foul on the sideline, and Diana Matheson delivered the ball into the box, where it was cleared to near the area where Ratcliffe was standing. She slid to prevent a fast break, won the ball, and shot the ball into the back of the goal to win the game. That would be the only game North Carolina lost this past season.

This past year, Ratcliffe had to compete for time with multiple National team players, including Amy Rodriguez, Christen Press, Diana Matheson, and other players including Taylor Lytle and Erika Tymrak, along with Katie Stengel.

Ratcliffe is expected to return next season, as the club has offered her a new contract. She may get more playing time with Christen Press, Kelley O’Hara, and Diana Matheson all expected to be with their national team for the 2019 World Cup in France.