Madison Hammond’s Journey to the Utah Royals

Joining the Utah Royals was a significant decision for defensive midfielder Madison Hammond, a trailblazer in the NWSL. It required a kind of vulnerability she’d never experienced before, but those tough choices seem to be paying off. At the University of Utah, she plans to further her unique contributions, including evolving as a leader, expressing herself on the field, and serving as a role model for Native American and Black girls who are unafraid to voice their beliefs.

This offseason, Hammond signed with the Royals as a free agent after a four-year stint with Angel City FC.

“Leaving L.A. was tough for me,” she reflected. “I love LA. I’ve built a family there, and I’ve really established a sense of community. It’s hard to say goodbye to all of that.”

Nonetheless, Hammond recognized the need to take a leap of faith for her growth as a player. This major choice transitioned her from the sunny beaches of Los Angeles to the towering mountains of Salt Lake City. “When I think back on my time in L.A. and who I aim to be as a player, it became a clear decision. I needed to put myself in a challenging environment,” she explained.

Now entering her seventh season in the NWSL with the Royals, Hammond is becoming a respected leader among her teammates. Surprisingly, just weeks after joining, she was elected to the Royals’ leadership group.

“I want to be someone people can genuinely trust and rely on, both on and off the field,” she emphasized. She aims to mentor younger players in ways that might have benefited her at the start of her own journey.

On the field, Hammond has set goals for this season, hoping to play more freely and score more. Her role is that of a versatile defensive midfielder, breaking up plays and covering a lot of ground.

“I feel like I’ve reached a point where I want to take bigger risks and be more daring,” she stated. “I have the confidence to do that, and I believe my teammates see that in me, too.”

Through her soccer journey, Hammond’s family has always been a source of support. Her mother, in particular, has attended nearly every game—club, college, and professional—and intends to carry on that tradition by being present at all the Royals’ home games this season.

“Having my family in the stands means everything to me,” Hammond shared. “There are days when I might not even start or feel ready, and knowing my family is there gives me immense strength.”

Hammond also shares a close bond with her grandmother over a shared love for Yerba Madre, one of her sponsors. Her favorite flavors include Enlighten Mint and Original.

Unique in the NWSL, Hammond stands as the league’s first and only Native American player. Initially, this distinction brought “a lot of pressure and doubt,” but now it has transformed into an empowering aspect of her identity, even though she remains the only one.

“It means a lot to still represent my community after all this time,” Hammond commented. “I am proud to be their voice.”

Since her move to Utah, she wants to be a respected figure for Native American youth, which feels particularly significant in a community often underrepresented in professional sports.

“We have a unique opportunity here in Utah with so many Indigenous peoples,” she mentioned. “My personal goal is to encourage more Native players to come to the games and perhaps inspire younger ones who might need that nudge from someone who looks like them.”

Balancing her dual heritage, Hammond is actively involved in the Black Women’s Players Collective (BWPC). Both her identities are crucial to her. “It’s easy to make headlines as the first Native American player in the NWSL, but being a Black woman is a big part of who I am every day,” she explained.

She appreciates the sense of community that BWPC provides and actively contributes, including participating in initiatives supporting young Black girls in Salt Lake City.

Known as an activist, Hammond feels a strong responsibility to leverage her platform. She has vocally opposed anti-Indigenous slurs and has advocated for equality in sports and diversity in coaching roles.

“I feel an intrinsic responsibility to use whatever platform I have, because underneath it, there are many women without a voice in their lives,” she said. “So why not seize the moment to amplify our voices?”

With her transition to Utah, Hammond will undoubtedly continue evolving as a player, a leader, and a vital voice for the league during these pivotal times.