In a significant move, Utah Royals FC (URFC) has announced the addition of Mariana Cabral to its coaching team under Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets. Cabral, who previously led Sporting Clube de Portugal to second place in the Campeonato Nacional de Futbol Femenino during the 2023-2024 season, brings extensive experience and a unique background to the Wasatch Front. After retiring from professional play at age 25, Cabral ventured into journalism before transitioning into coaching. Her leadership has been instrumental in Sporting CP’s success, including two consecutive second-place finishes and a Supertaça de Portugal Feminina title.

New Addition to URFC's Technical Staff Signals Strategic Shift

On a crisp winter day in Herriman, Utah, the Utah Royals FC unveiled their latest strategic move by welcoming Mariana Cabral as an assistant coach. The announcement comes just before the 2025 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. Cabral arrives fresh from Lisbon, where she made waves leading Sporting Clube de Portugal to remarkable achievements. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring—after hanging up her cleats at 25, she embarked on a career in journalism, interviewing soccer luminaries like Jose Mourinho and Luis Castro. Eventually, she found her calling in coaching, guiding Sporting CP's U-19 squad while maintaining her journalistic pursuits.

In 2021, Cabral fully committed to coaching, taking the helm at Sporting Clube de Portugal. Under her leadership, the team secured a 2-0 victory over Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Supertaça de Portugal Feminina. Over the next two years, Sporting CP consistently placed second in the league and claimed another Supertaça de Portugal Feminina title last August. This impressive track record makes Cabral a valuable asset to the URFC technical staff, which includes Kelly Cousins as Sporting Director, Jimmy Coenraets as Head Coach, Sam Lismont as Performance Coach/Analyst, Emily Simpkins as Assistant Coach, and James White as Goalkeepers Coach.

The Utah Royals FC showed significant improvement under Coenraets' guidance in 2024, finishing with a 5-4-2 record and 17 points. As they prepare for the upcoming season, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Bay FC on March 15 at America First Field.

From a journalist's perspective, Cabral's appointment underscores the growing importance of diverse perspectives in sports leadership. Her multifaceted background—from player to journalist to coach—brings a wealth of insights that could reshape the way teams approach strategy and development. It also highlights the evolving role of women in football management, setting a powerful example for aspiring female coaches and players alike. With Cabral on board, the Utah Royals FC is poised to build on its recent successes and continue making strides in the competitive world of women's soccer.