How this Utah Royals goalie is playing lights out at the start of the season | OneFootball

Currently the Utah Royals are in second place in the NWSL standings. They just beat Racing Louisville 2-1. They have a great opportunity to clinch their playoff berth in team history if they stay on the path they are on.

This is no small part due to the goalkeeping play of Mandy McGlynn. She has been near impossible for opposing teams to find an opening behind the net during the start of 2026.

She has been so good and strong as a keeper that Racing Louisville's loan goal on Sunday was the first she has allowed this year for Utah. It proves why the Royals traded for her in 2024.

Mandy McGlynn has a goal against average of 0.24 this season

Since being traded, she has been one of the top goalies in statistics and on the pitch. Now McGlynn and the Royals can only hope it leads to staying at the top of the standings for the remainder of the season.

McGlynn is quietly becoming a star and one of the best goalies in the league, and if she is able to keep up the intesity and continue to have clean sheets the rest of the season, she should be in contention for Goalkeeper of the year.

She received a nomination as a member of the Royals. In 2024, she was nominated for the award after her first full year as a starting keeper. The goalkeeper was drafted by Gotham FC in 2020, but the pandemic and strong competition from established goalkeepers limited her opportunities to play.

That has changed since she made her Utah Royals debut in 2024. It has not made a difference in the standings before this season. The roster now seems to be rounded out for a chance to clinch a berth.

They have been changing up formations early in the season. It has brought on a challenge for opposing teams to game plan. As they stay aggressive on the offensive end, they are almost comforted knowing they have a solid keeper on the back end.

McGlynn has had a remarkable year. She recently made her debut with the US Women's National Team. Though she is a long shot for a World Cup roster now, continuing her NWSL season lights out could improve her odds.

The season is young, but the Utah Royals seem to have the right pieces right now. That is most certainly at keeper.