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Updated: 1/6/19 11:33AM
Per the Equalizer this morning, it was reported that Laura Harvey has stepped down as head coach of Utah Royals FC. She is set to coach the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team, according to Dan Lauletta.
The news comes after earlier this week it was reported that Harvey would take on a temporary role coaching the U.S. U-18 WNT training camp ahead of their four-nation tournament. The role was to be temporary, however, but it appears that Harvey was leaning towards a more permanent role with U.S. Soccer, and with the shortage in coaches in the U.S. Soccer Youth system, this was an opportunity that must have been awaiting Harvey.
This is not the first time that Harvey has been linked with U.S. Soccer. Harvey coached the U-23 USWNT in Spring 2017, after coaching them through a January camp. When she stepped down as Seattle Reign FC’s head coach and general manager in 2017, she reportedly took on an expanded role with the United States Soccer Federation. It was believed she would eventually have a permanent coaching role with U.S. Soccer, but it fell through, and she became Utah’s head coach instead. Harvey was also in the running for the senior U.S. National Team head coaching job and interviewed for the position this past fall.
Harvey leaves Utah after two seasons, compiling a record of 19-17-12. The team never reached the playoffs under Harvey, but many were hoping that her third year with the club would amount to more success.
The Royals now move to replace Harvey, and apparently already have a list of potential replacements.
On Monday, January 3 Utah Royals FC has confirmed that the club has parted ways with Laura Harvey. The announcement also confirmed that she was leaving to take the Head Coach for the U-20 Women’s National Team. US Soccer has also confirmed that hire.
Scott Parkinson, an assist coach under Harvey, has been named as the interim head coach of the Royals. The team will be starting a formal search for the next head coach, and it’s expected that they’ll fill the post before the 2020 season begins.