Utah Royals FC announced a contract extension for defender Kaleigh Riehl through the 2027 NWSL season with an option for 2028, according to a September 4 statement.
Since arriving in Utah, Riehl has become a fundamental part of the team's defensive line.
The veteran defender was acquired by the Royals in November of 2023 from San Diego Wave FC. During her time with San Diego, she appeared in 19 of 22 matches and won the 2023 NWSL Shield.
In her debut season with Utah, Riehl made 14 appearances, completing 90% of her passes and recording one assist. During her second season, she appeared in 12 matches, logging 831 minutes with one goal and one assist.
In 2026, Riehl has started 11 of the team's 16 matches. During this season, the club has achieved a 10-game unbeaten streak and a five-game clean sheet streak between April 3 and May 10. The Royals have conceded only 9 goals in the 11 games Riehl has started and have recorded six clean sheets in 2026, matching the club's total from the 2025 NWSL season in 10 fewer games.
In her third season, Riehl also provided an assist during a 3-0 victory over Seattle Reign FC on April 26.
Riehl recently returned to the field playing 27 minutes in a 4-1 win against the North Carolina Courage. Her experience is expected to play a major role in the club's pursuit of its first NWSL title in 2026 and beyond.
