2019 Royals Player Profiles: Katie Bowen

2019 was another good year for Katie Bowen. She was able to take part in her third World Cup, in addition to getting a good amount of minutes with Utah Royals FC.

Although New Zealand failed to make it out of their group or even find a win in the 2019 World Cup, Bowen did start all three of their matches. In some games, she played more as a defensive midfielder, in others an out and out defender.

This versatility is why Bowen was able to see so many minutes with Utah this year. Although regularly playing as a true defender, Bowen’s ability to work up the pitch and create opportunities in the attack was a big strength of hers.

Although seeing no goals or assists herself, Bowen had 27 crosses and 14 key passes in 2019, she was a big part of Utah’s transitional play and helped the Royals to get their attack going.

Bowen also brings a veteran presence to this Utah team, although she’s just 25 she has been a part of the New Zealand senior national team since 2011 and has played in the NWSL since 2016 with FC Kansas City.

Bowen saw every minute of play before the World Cup in Utah’s 4-1-1 start to the season. After returning from the World Cup, she played nearly every minute once again, until the last month of the season where she saw just 14 minutes in Utah’s final three matches of the season.

It was announced on December 6th that Bowen had re-signed with Utah and will be returning in 2020.