Utah Royals FC Forward Amy Rodriguez Is Excited To Return For Training, ‘Sense of Normalcy’

HERRIMAN, Utah – Utah Royals FC forward Amy Rodriquez said that despite some restrictions, she is excited to return to team facilities for training and experience a “sense of normalcy.”

Rodriquez is scheduled to participate in voluntary training on the afternoon of Friday, May 8. She and her teammates haven’t worked out or trained at team facilities since the sporting world came to a halt in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think it’s funny when you first come across someone that you haven’t seen in a while. Do you go up to them? Do you give them a hug? Do you high-five them? But obviously, during this time, we don’t get that option and that’s okay. So I think there might be some unsure or kind of weird feelings about that,” Rodriguez told media members prior to heading over the Royals’ facility.

The World Cup may be in full swing, but meanwhile in the #NWSL… AMY RODRIGUEZ 🎯pic.twitter.com/bpnaVSwwKs

— Elaine Buckley (@ElaineBucko) June 16, 2019

Utah Royals FC players are starting to come back to the state and are being allowed to participate in voluntary training at team facilities as government restrictions have been eased. Rodriquez said that while social distancing has been tough, she said public health and safety is what’s most important.

The forward said that while she is only allowed to participate in a limited capacity, she is excited to step back onto the field.

“At the end of the day I do have a smile on my face because I am so excited to step back on that field and just kind of dip my toe in a little bit to a sense of normalcy and normal training which I haven’t gotten to have in the last two months. I’m real excited to start back up again even if it is in such a small capacity.”

Last season, Rodriquez led the Royals with nine goals in 24 matches. She was honored on the NWSL Team of the Month for May, June, and August of 2019.