SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Royals goaltender Carly Nelson announced on Instagram Wednesday that she will be “taking a leave of absence for mental health reasons” from the team after being listed as an “excused absence” on the team’s injury report since May 3.
Nelson, a Lyndon native who played four years at the University of Utah, joined the Royals in an offseason trade from the Orlando Pride and started in Utah’s first game of the season after starter Mandy Haught was suspended.
“I love the sport with all my heart, but at the end of the day, it’s just football,” Nelson said in an Instagram Story. “It started to seep into my personal life and erode my love for the sport. For me, the toll is too high to continue.”
I’m from Utah Utah Royals FC Goalkeeper Carly Nelson posted on her Instagram Story about her extended absence from the team, saying she was “taking mental health leave.”
“It’s not retirement…just a little break.” pic.twitter.com/EzqslcCclS
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) May 29, 2024
Nelson clarified that he is not retiring, but is just taking “a little break.”
Royals teammate Imani Dorsey similarly sat out the 2023 season with Gotham FC due to mental health concerns before taking the field again this year with Utah.
“When I took some time away I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to return,” Dorsey said in an Instagram post, “but I’m glad that my time away allowed me to rediscover what I love about the sport – competing, being active and being part of a team. Now I’m excited to continue playing.”
Paid mental health leave was part of the NWSL’s first collective bargaining agreement, signed in 2022. Prior to the CBA, mental illness was not considered a physical injury and was not paid.
“As clubs, Utah Royals FC and Real Salt Lake fully support Carly and her decision to step away from the team to focus on her mental health,” Utah said in a statement to KSL.com. “URFC and the NWSL will continue to provide her and others with the necessary resources.”
