2019 Sky Blue FC season explained

Club:Sky Blue FC
Season:2019
Chrtitle:President & CEO
Chairman:Thomas Hofstetter
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Denise Reddy
(until June 28)
Hugo Macedo
(caretaker, from June 28 until September 4)
Freya Coombe
(from September 4)
Stadium:Yurcak Field
Piscataway, New Jersey
(Capacity: 5,000)
League:NWSL
League Result:8th
Highest Attendance:9,415 vs Reign FC, August 18, 2019
Lowest Attendance:1,321 vs Portland Thorns FC, April 28, 2019
Average Attendance:3,338
League Topscorer:Carli Lloyd (8)
Pattern B1:001D4A
Pattern Sh1:_white stripes
Leftarm1:001D4A
Body1:001D4A
Rightarm1:001D4A
Shorts1:001D4A
Socks1:001D4A
Pattern B2:_sbfc_18a
Leftarm2:FFFFFF
Body2:FFFFFF
Rightarm2:FFFFFF
Shorts2:90bbee
Socks2:FFFFFF
American:true
Prevseason:2018
Nextseason:2020

The 2019 Sky Blue FC season was the team's tenth season as a professional women's soccer team. Sky Blue FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.[1]

Since the 2018 Sky Blue finished in last place and only won one game, 2019 offered opportunities for improvement. The off-season didn't get off to a promising start as two of the team's top draft picks, Hailie Mace (2nd overall pick) and Julia Ashley (6th overall pick) chose not to sign with the club. Mace signed with FC Rosengård and Ashley with Linköpings FC.[2] [3] Sky Blue's third and fourth picks, Paige Monaghan (10th overall pick) and Julie James (11th overall pick) did however choose to come to preseason and were ultimately signed. During preseason training two Sky Blue players suffered season-ending injuries. Defender Mandy Freeman ruptured her Achilles tendon and midfielder Madison Tiernan tore her ACL and MCL.[4] [5]

On April 9, 2019 General Manager and President Tony Novo resigned from his position, Sky Blue Vice-President Alyse LaHue was appointed to take over as interim general manager.[6] Kyra Carusa, Sky Blue's 19th overall pick in the 2019 Draft signed with Le Havre AC in France on April 25, making her the third Sky Blue draft pick to sign in Europe.[7]

On June 28, Denise Reddy was fired as the team's head coach. Her record as head coach was 1-8-24.[8] Goalkeeper coach Hugo Macedo filled in on a temporary basis until the club named Freya Coombe interim head coach on September 4.[9]

Sky Blue played their first ever game at Red Bull Arena on August 18 against Reign FC. They set a club record with 9,415 in attendance for the game, which finished in a 1–1 draw.[10] The positive feedback and high demand led the club to move their September 29 home finale to Red Bull Arena, where they drew 8,314 for a 1–1 draw against the Orlando Pride.[11]

Team

First-team roster

As of July 19, 2019[12]

Competitions

Regular season

Regular-season standings

Results by round

Statistical leaders

Top scorers

RankPlayerGoals
18
2 Raquel Rodriguez3
3 Jen Hoy2
Imani Dorsey
Paige Monaghan
6 Sarah Killion1
McKenzie Meehan
Domi Richardson
Elizabeth Eddy

Top assists

RankPlayerAssists
1 Sarah Killion3
Raquel Rodriguez
31
Jen Hoy
Elizabeth Eddy
Julie James
Nahomi Kawasumi
Kenie Wright

Shutouts

Player transactions

2019 NWSL College Draft

Source: National Women's Soccer League[13]

RoundPickPlayerPrevious Team
Round 12 F UCLA
Round 16 D University of North Carolina
Round 210 FButler University
Round 211 M Baylor University
Round 319 F Georgetown University
Round 428 G University of Florida
Round 429 M Rutgers University
Round 434 D University of Notre Dame

In

DatePlayerPositions playedPrevious clubFee/notesRef.
January 10, 2019 Caprice DydascoDF[14]
January 10, 2019 DiDi HaracicGK
January 10, 2019 Estelle JohnsonDF
January 14, 2019 Nahomi KawasumiFWAcquired in Trade with Reign FC in exchange for Shea Groom[15]
April 10, 2019 GabiMFSigned. [16]
May 7, 2019 Gina LewandowskiDFSigned. [17]
June 11, 2019 Elizabeth EddyMF[18]
July 19, 2019 Nicole BaxterMF Asarums IFSigned.

Out

DatePlayerPositions playedDestination clubFee/notesRef.
November 14, 2018 Amanda FrisbieDFSigned with Klepp IL in Norway. [19]
November 20, 2018 Rebekah StottDFSigned with Avaldsnes IL in Norway. [20]
January 9, 2019 Katie JohnsonFWTraded to the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft and the highest second-round pick in 2020.
January 12, 2019 Christina GibbonsDFRetired [21]
January 14, 2019 Shea GroomFWTraded to Reign FC in exchange for Nahomi Kawasumi
March 8, 2019 Caroline CaseyGKRetired[22]
June 11, 2019 McKenzie MeehanFWTraded to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for Elizabeth Eddy.
June 19, 2019 Savannah McCaskillFW[23]
July 14, 2019 GabiMFReleased[24]
July 19, 2019 Sabrina FloresMF SevillaReleased[25]

Awards

NWSL Team of the Month

MonthGoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwardsRef
April Kailen Sheridan[26]
July Kailen Sheridan[27]

NWSL Weekly Awards

NWSL Goal of the Week

WeekResultPlayerRef.
6 Raquel Rodriguez[28]
13 Jennifer Hoy[29]
16 Imani Dorsey[30]
18 Paige Monaghan[31]
23 Carli Lloyd[32]
24 Carli Lloyd[33]
25 Domi Richardson[34]

NWSL Save of the Week

WeekResultPlayerRef.
2 Kailen Sheridan[35]
3 Kailen Sheridan[36]
4 Kailen Sheridan[37]
5 DiDi Haracic[38]
6 DiDi Haracic[39]
7 DiDi Haracic[40]
9 DiDi Haracic[41]
10 DiDi Haracic[42]
12 Kailen Sheridan[43]
14 Kailen Sheridan[44]
15 Kailen Sheridan[45]
16 Kailen Sheridan[46]
17 Kailen Sheridan[47]
18 Kailen Sheridan[48]
21 Kailen Sheridan[49]
23 Kailen Sheridan[50]
25 Kailen Sheridan[51]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Sky Blue Soccer. skybluefc.com. April 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160506114836/http://www.skybluefc.com/about/. May 6, 2016. dead.
  2. Web site: U.S. WNT prospect Hailie Mace joins Swedish club FC Rosengård. February 13, 2019. March 18, 2019.
  3. Web site: Julia Ashley To Play Pro Soccer Abroad. January 22, 2019. March 18, 2019.
  4. Web site: Mandy Freeman Out Indefinitely with Achilles Tendon Injury. March 31, 2019. March 26, 2019. March 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091010/https://skybluefc.com/2019/03/26/mandy-freeman-out-indefinitely-with-achilles-tendon-injury/. dead.
  5. Web site: Madison Tiernan Out Indefinitely with ACL and MCL Injury. March 31, 2019. March 31, 2019. March 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331214542/https://skybluefc.com/2019/03/31/madison-tiernan-out-indefinitely-with-acl-and-mcl-injury/. dead.
  6. Web site: New Leadership for Sky Blue FC. April 9, 2019. April 9, 2019.
  7. Web site: Twitter: GeorgetownWsoccer. April 26, 2019. April 25, 2019.
  8. Web site: Sky Blue FC fires coach Denise Reddy. June 30, 2019. June 28, 2019. June 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190630213316/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/sky-blue/sky-blue-fc-fires-coach-denise-reddy/. dead.
  9. Web site: Sky Blue FC Names Freya Coombe Interim Head Coach. September 7, 2019. September 4, 2019.
  10. Web site: @Skybluefc. August 18, 2019. August 18, 2019.
  11. Web site: Yang . Stephanie . Sky Blue home closer shows a complete turnaround from last year . All For XI . 22 November 2019.
  12. Web site: 2019 Roster. Sky Blue FC. 19 July 2019. 13 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200513194222/https://skybluefc.com/roster/. dead.
  13. Web site: List: Every pick of the 2019 NWSL College Draft. National Women's Soccer League. January 10, 2019. March 18, 2019.
  14. Web site: Washington Spirit trade three players to land the third pick in the 2019 NWSL Draft. January 10, 2019. March 18, 2019.
  15. Web site: Sky Blue FC acquire Nahomi Kawasumi in trade for Shea Groom. March 18, 2019. January 14, 2019.
  16. Web site: Sky Blue FC Signs Brazilian Midfielder Gabi. April 10, 2019. April 8, 2019. April 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410131439/https://skybluefc.com/2019/04/08/sky-blue-fc-signs-brazilian-midfielder-gabi/. dead.
  17. Web site: Sky Blue FC Signs Veteran Defender Gina Lewandowski. May 7, 2019. May 7, 2019. May 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190508011732/https://skybluefc.com/2019/05/07/sky-blue-fc-signs-veteran-defender-gina-lewandowski/. dead.
  18. Web site: Sky Blue FC Acquires Elizabeth Eddy in a Trade with North Carolina Courage. June 19, 2019. June 11, 2019. June 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620000532/https://skybluefc.com/2019/06/11/sky-blue-fc-acquires-elizabeth-eddy-in-a-trade-with-north-carolina-courage/. dead.
  19. Web site: Sky Blue FC trade Katie Johnson. March 18, 2019. January 9, 2019.
  20. Web site: Ferns pair sign deals in Norway. March 18, 2019. November 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20190124010448/https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/70567. January 24, 2019. dead.
  21. Web site: Sky Blue FC defender Christina Gibbons announces retirement. March 18, 2019. January 12, 2019.
  22. Web site: Caroline Casey to Step Away From Soccer to Pursue Medical Career. March 18, 2019. March 8, 2019. April 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403162239/https://skybluefc.com/2019/03/08/caroline-casey-to-step-away-from-soccer-to-pursue-medical-career/. dead.
  23. Web site: Red Stars acquire McCaskill in exchange for 1st-, 2nd-round picks. June 19, 2019. June 19, 2019.
  24. Web site: Sky Blue boasts new energy following second consecutive win. Pardeep Cattry. Pro Soccer USA. July 14, 2019. July 19, 2019. July 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718194503/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/sky-blue/sky-blue-boasts-new-energy-following-second-consecutive-win/. dead.
  25. Web site: Sky Blue Sign Midfielder Nicole Baxter as National Team Replacement Player. Sky Blue FC. July 19, 2019. July 19, 2019. July 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718214209/https://skybluefc.com/2019/07/18/sky-blue-sign-midfielder-nicole-baxter-as-national-team-replacement-player/. dead.
  26. Web site: Balf. Celia. March Team of the Month. NWSLsoccer. NWSL. May 3, 2019. May 3, 2019.
  27. Web site: July Team of the Month. August 1, 2019. August 3, 2019.
  28. Web site: Week 6 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League twitter. 20 May 2019.
  29. Web site: Week 13 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League twitter. 15 July 2019.
  30. Web site: Week 16 Goal of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 9 August 2019.
  31. Web site: Week 18 Goal of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  32. Web site: Week 23 Goal of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  33. Web site: Week 24 Goal of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  34. Web site: Week 25 Goal of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 17 October 2019.
  35. Web site: Week 2 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League. 22 April 2019. 22 April 2019.
  36. Web site: Week 3 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League twitter. 30 April 2019. 30 April 2019.
  37. Web site: Week 4 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League twitter. May 6, 2019. May 6, 2019.
  38. Web site: Vote: Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League. May 13, 2019. May 13, 2019.
  39. Web site: Vote: Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League twitter. May 20, 2019. May 20, 2019.
  40. Web site: Week 7 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League youtube. 28 May 2019.
  41. Web site: Week 9 Save of the Week Nominees. National Women's Soccer League twitter. 17 June 2019.
  42. Web site: Week 10 Save of the Week nominees. NWSL twitter. 27 June 2019.
  43. Web site: Week 12 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . 11 July 2019.
  44. Web site: WEEK 14 SAVE OF THE WEEK NOMINEES . NWSL . NWSLSoccer.com . 26 July 2019.
  45. Web site: Week 15 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 30 July 2019.
  46. Web site: Week 16 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 9 August 2019.
  47. Web site: Week 17 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  48. Web site: Week 18 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  49. Web site: Week 21 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  50. Web site: Week 23 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 16 October 2019.
  51. Web site: Week 25 Save of the Week nominees #NWSL 2019 . YouTube . NWSL . 17 October 2019.