SANDY — Last June, Utah Royals FC made big headlines when it acquired United States Women’s National Team forward Christen Press via trade.

As part of the deal, URFC also received starting center back Sam Johnson from the Chicago Red Stars. That portion of the transaction received considerably less attention, but Johnson has been excellent for URFC in 14 total games despite mostly playing behind Becky Sauerbrunn and Rachel Corsie, who have represented their countries at the World Cup this summer.

Friday night, however, was Johnson’s last game, as she has decided to retire.

In actuality, the 28-year-old from Palmdale, California, known as “Johno” decided to step away from the game during the preseason. When the team couldn’t find a suitable replacement for her, however, she agreed to stay until the team could go on without her after the World Cup when Sauerbrunn and Corsie will return.

“I want to go on record to say that she didn’t have to do that,” URFC head coach Laura Harvey said after Friday’s game. “She could’ve walked away because she wanted to, if mentally she felt like it was the right time for her, but she stuck with it, she stuck with us and I think she’s been one of our most consistent players throughout this really tough (World Cup) period, and so we want to thank her for that and we wish her all the best in whatever her next endeavor is.”

Johnson declined to speak with media Friday.

Players also didn’t address Johnson’s departure directly (a question posed to Gunny Jonsdottir was cut off by public relations personnel), but a number of them posted tributes on their Instagram stories and came to the game dressed as she would have. Midfielder Mandy Laddish said in part, “She’s a fighter. She comes in and she crunches. We love Sam Johnson.”

Added Harvey: “She’s someone that they admire. They appreciate what she’s given to this team in this period.”

Harvey was disappointed that Johnson’s final game ended in a 2-0 loss to Reign FC, but noted how Johnson’s focus was to not make the night about herself and to do all she could over the past few months to train rookie center back Gaby Vincent.

Grid View Utah Royals FC defender Gaby Vincent (14) fights with Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jessica Fishlock (10) for control of the ball during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC defender Sydney Miramontez (17) jumps to head a ball against Seattle Reign FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu (25) during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC defender Sydney Miramontez (17) chases down a ball against the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (18) jumps to block a corner kick from the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Seattle Reign FC midfielder Morgan Proffitt (14) collides with Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (66) during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC midfielder Mandy Laddish (7) holds up her hands after contesting a call from the referee against the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jessica Fishlock (10) kicks the ball while guarded by Utah Royals FC midfielder Mandy Laddish (7) and Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (66) during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (66) falls after colliding with Seattle Reign FC midfielder Morgan Proffitt (14) and Seattle Reign FC midfielder Bev Yanez (17) in the air during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC forward Mallory Weber (20) tries to dribble the ball past the Seattle Reign FC players during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Casey Murphy (26) jumps to block a shot on goal from the Utah Royals FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC forward Mallory Weber (20) tries to dribble the ball past the Seattle Reign FC players during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC defender Becca Moros (3) collides with Seattle Reign FC forward Shea Groom (2) in the air during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta (9) trips against the Seattle Reign FC while trying to get the ball during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

The Seattle Reign FC celebrate scoring a goal against the Utah Royals FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (66) high-fives Utah Royals FC midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta (9) during their match against the Seattle Reign FC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC forward Mallory Weber (20) reacts to blocking the ball during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (66) is attended to by medical personal and teammates after she was injured by the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC head coach Laura Harvey speaks to the team after their loss to the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (18) tempts to block a shot on goal from the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC defender Sam Johnson (16) fights for control of the ball against Seattle Reign FC Addison Steiner (27) during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC midfielder Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (66) is held by Seattle Reign FC players while trying to dribble the ball during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC defender Becca Moros (3) fights with Seattle Reign FC Addison Steiner (27) for control of the ball during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC fans react during the final minuets of the game against the Seattle Reign FC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Seattle Reign FC Steph Cox (33) jumps to head the ball against Utah Royals FC player during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC defender Sam Johnson (16) shakes hands with the Seattle Reign FC after their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC forward Amy Rodriguez (8) dribbles the ball looking to score against the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC head coach Laura Harvey speaks to the team after their loss to the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

Utah Royals FC goalkeeper Abby Smith (1) takes a photo with fans after the game against the Seattle Reign FC during their match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, June 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News

“She didn’t want it to be about her tonight, so that says a lot about her,” Harvey said. “I’m disappointed for her that she goes out this way. I think she deserves more than that, but I’m also glad that we were able to do what we wanted to do for Johno in the right way.”