Sky Blue FC 2020 soccer season
The 2020 Sky Blue FC season was the team's eleventh season as a professional women's soccer team, and their eighth season as a member of the National Women's Soccer League .
The season was originally scheduled to begin on March 18, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the start date was delayed. Preseason matches were cancelled on March 12[ 2] and on April 4 it was announced that a moratorium on training would continue through May 5, 2020.[ 3] On April 24, the NWSL announced the moratorium on training would be extended through May 15.[ 4] The start date of the season was further shifted to an indeterminate point, with the league promising to "include an appropriate preseason training period" before launching the season.[ 4] Small group training resumed on May 25,[ 5] and on May 27 the NWSL announced that the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup would mark the league's return to action following the COVID-19 pandemic.[ 6] The tournament was hosted in Utah from June 27 to July 26.[ 6]
On June 22, 2020, the NWSL confirmed that the regular season had been cancelled and the Challenge Cup would act as the 2020 season.[ 7] Sky Blue finished the preliminary round as the seventh seed[ 8] before ultimately being eliminated in the semi-finals by the Chicago Red Stars .[ 9]
Team
First-team roster
As of June 23, 2020[ 10]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Challenge Cup roster
On June 23, 2020, Sky Blue announced their twenty-six player roster for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup . In the same announcement, the club confirmed that three players contracted to the club (Carli Lloyd , Caprice Dydasco , and Mallory Pugh ) had been left out through injury.[ 11] On June 26, Madison Tiernan was also ruled out of the tournament with an injury.[ 12]
Squad no.
Name[ a]
Nationality
Position(s)
Date of birth
Goalkeepers
1
Kailen Sheridan
GK
(1995-07-16 ) July 16, 1995 (age 29)
13
DiDi Haracic
GK
(1992-04-12 ) April 12, 1992 (age 32)
21
Mandy McGlynn
GK
(1998-11-03 ) November 3, 1998 (age 26)
35
Megan Hinz
GK
(1995-12-04 ) December 4, 1995 (age 28)
Defenders
2
Kaleigh Riehl
DF
(1996-10-21 ) October 21, 1996 (age 28)
8
Erica Skroski
DF
(1994-02-14 ) February 14, 1994 (age 30)
12
Gina Lewandowski
DF / MF
(1985-04-13 ) April 13, 1985 (age 39)
15
Sabrina Flores
DF / MF
(1996-01-31 ) January 31, 1996 (age 28)
22
Mandy Freeman
DF
(1995-03-25 ) March 25, 1995 (age 29)
24
Estelle Johnson
DF
(1988-07-21 ) July 21, 1988 (age 36)
26
Chantelle Swaby
DF
(1998-08-06 ) August 6, 1998 (age 26)
Midfielders
5
Nicole Baxter
MF
(1994-05-12 ) May 12, 1994 (age 30)
6
Jennifer Cudjoe
MF
(1994-03-07 ) March 7, 1994 (age 30)
7
McCall Zerboni
MF
(1986-12-13 ) December 13, 1986 (age 37)
9
Nahomi Kawasumi
MF / FW
(1985-09-23 ) September 23, 1985 (age 39)
14
Kenie Wright
MF
(1997-08-22 ) August 22, 1997 (age 27)
16
Sarah Woldmoe (captain )
MF
(1992-07-27 ) July 27, 1992 (age 32)
17
Domi Richardson
MF
(1992-10-18 ) October 18, 1992 (age 32)
18
Cassidy Benintente
MF / DF
(1994-06-12 ) June 12, 1994 (age 30)
19
Elizabeth Eddy
MF
(1991-09-13 ) September 13, 1991 (age 33)
23
Margaret Purce
MF / FW / DF
(1995-09-18 ) September 18, 1995 (age 29)
73
Madison Tiernan
MF
(1995-07-03 ) July 3, 1995 (age 29)
Forwards
4
Paige Monaghan
FW / MF
(1996-11-13 ) November 13, 1996 (age 27)
20
Evelyne Viens
FW
(1997-02-06 ) February 6, 1997 (age 27)
25
Ifeoma Onumonu
FW
(1994-02-25 ) February 25, 1994 (age 30)
28
Imani Dorsey
FW / MF / DF
(1996-03-21 ) March 21, 1996 (age 28)
^ denotes season-ending injury.
Coaching staff
As of June 16, 2020 [ 13] [ 14]
Position
Staff
Head Coach
Freya Coombe
Assistant Coach
Rebecca Moros
Assistant Coach
Becki Tweed
Goalkeeper Coach
Dean O'Leary
High Performance Coach
Philip Congleton
Technical Advisor
Marcia McDermott
Head Physio
Joelle Muro
Competitions
Preseason
Preseason training and matches were originally scheduled to take place beginning on March 28,[ 15] but on March 12 all preseason matches were cancelled.[ 16]
Matches
National Women's Soccer League
Regular season
Matches
The regular season schedule was announced on February 25, 2020.[ 17] [ 18] However, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic , the regular season was eventually cancelled and replaced by the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup .[ 7]
Challenge Cup
Preliminary round
Standings
^ a b Chicago Red Stars won the tiebreaker against Sky Blue FC on fewer yellow cards (1 to 4).
Results by matchday
Round 1 2 3 4 Ground N N N N Result D L W L Position 5 8 2 7
Updated to match(es) played on July 13, 2020. Source:
NWSLsoccer.com A = Away;
H = Home;
N = Neutral venue;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss;
P = Postponed
Matches
Sky Blue were originally slated to play the Orlando Pride as part of the preliminary round of the competition. However, on June 22 it was reported that several of Orlando's players and staff had tested positive for COVID-19 and that Orlando would be withdrawing from the competition.[ 19] A revised schedule was subsequently announced on June 23.[ 20]
Knockout round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Squad statistics
Appearances
As of match played July 22, 2020
Goals and assists
As of match played July 22, 2020
Shutouts
As of match played July 22, 2020
Disciplinary record
As of match played July 22, 2020
Transfers
Transfers in
Date
Player
Previous club
Fee/notes
Ref.
January 16, 2020
Mallory Pugh
FW
Washington Spirit
Trade for draft slots.
[ 21]
January 17, 2020
Ifeoma Onumonu
FW
OL Reign
Trade for rights to Julia Ashley .
[ 22]
February 11, 2020
Evelyne Viens
FW
USF
Draft pick. Two-year deal.
[ 23]
February 11, 2020
Kaleigh Riehl
DF
Penn State
Draft pick. One-year deal.
[ 23]
March 2, 2020
McCall Zerboni
MF
North Carolina Courage
Trade for rights to Hailie Mace .
[ 24]
March 7, 2020
Margaret Purce
FW / MF
Portland Thorns FC
Trade for Raquel Rodriguez .
[ 25]
June 12, 2020
Mandy McGlynn
GK
Virginia Tech
Draft pick. One-year deal.
[ 26]
June 18, 2020
Jennifer Cudjoe
MF
Asheville City SC
Short-term contract.
[ 27]
June 18, 2020
Nicole Baxter
MF
Asarums IF FK
Short-term contract.
[ 28]
June 18, 2020
Cassidy Benintente
MF / DF
Asarums IF FK
Short-term contract.
[ 27]
June 21, 2020
Sabrina Flores
DF / MF
Sevilla
Signed two-year deal.
[ 29]
June 22, 2020
Chantelle Swaby
DF
Rutgers
Draft pick. Short-term contract.
[ 30]
Transfers out
Loans out
New contracts
Awards
Team
NWSL Challenge Cup
References
^ "Ownership" . Sky Blue FC. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ "Statement from NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird regarding the 2020 season" (Press release). NWSL Media Staff. March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ "COVID-19 resources and updates for NWSL fans" (Press release). NWSL Media Staff. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ a b Levine, Matthew (April 24, 2020). "NWSL extends training moratorium through May 15" (Press release). Retrieved April 27, 2020 .
^ "NWSL to allow small group training starting Monday" . skybluefc.com . May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020 .
^ a b Levine, Matthew (May 27, 2020). "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret" (Press release). Retrieved May 29, 2020 .
^ a b "2020 Champions Cup Presented by P&G and Secret Roster Rules" (PDF) (Press release). NWSL. June 13, 2020. p. 3. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ Lewis, Michael (July 14, 2020). "QUARTERFINAL BOUND: Courage the top seed; No. 7 Sky Blue FC to play No. 2 Spirit" . Front Row Soccer . Retrieved July 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue Falls to Chicago 3-2 in Tight Semifinal Matchup" . Sky Blue FC. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020 .
^ "2020 Roster" . Sky Blue FC. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Announces 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Roster" . skybluefc.com . Sky Blue FC. June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Midfielder Madison Tiernan placed on 45-day Disabled List" . Sky Blue FC. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020 .
^ "Technical Staff" . Sky Blue FC. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ "Head Coach Freya Coombe Announces Sky Blue FC Technical Staff" . Sky Blue FC. March 6, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Releases 2020 Preseason Schedule" . Sky Blue FC. March 9, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Statement on NWSL Cancellation of Preseason Matches" . Sky Blue FC. March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020 .
^ "2020 Regular Season Schedule" . Sky Blue FC. Retrieved April 7, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Announces Schedule for 2020 NWSL Season" . Sky Blue FC. February 25, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020 .
^ Hays, Graham (June 22, 2020). "Orlando Pride pull out of NWSL Cup after 10 positive coronavirus tests" . ESPN . Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue Announces Updated 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Schedule" . skybluefc.com . Sky Blue FC. June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Acquires Mallory Pugh from the Washington Spirit" . Sky Blue FC. January 16, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Acquires Ifeoma Onumonu from Reign FC" . Sky Blue FC. January 17, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ a b "Sky Blue FC Signs 2020 NWSL College Draft Picks Evelyne Viens and Kaleigh Riehl" . Sky Blue FC. February 11, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Signs Midfielder McCall Zerboni" . Sky Blue FC. March 2, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Signs Forward Margaret "Midge" Purce" . Sky Blue FC. March 7, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Signs Rookie Goalkeeper Amanda "Mandy" McGlynn" . June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ a b "Sky Blue Signs Three Players to Short-Term Contracts" . Sky Blue FC. June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Former Women's Soccer Standout Nicole Baxter '16 Inks Deal With Sky Blue FC For 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup" . Tribe Athletics . June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Signs Sabrina Flores to Two-Year Deal" . skybluefc.com . June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Signs 2020 NWSL Draft Pick Chantelle Swaby to Short-Term Contract" . Sky Blue FC. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Acquires Margaret "Midge" Purce from Portland Thorns FC" . Sky Blue FC. January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Une nouvelle recrue pour le FC Metz" . Le Républican Lorrain (in French) . January 18, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Forward Jen Hoy Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer" . Sky Blue FC. February 7, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Elizabeth Eddy Loaned to Vittsjo GIK in Sweden" . Sky Blue FC. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Midfielder Sarah Killion" . Sky Blue FC. January 13, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Defender Estelle Johnson" . Sky Blue FC. January 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi" . Sky Blue FC. January 27, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Defender Gina Lewandowski" . Sky Blue FC. January 29, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-signs New Jersey Native Paige Monaghan to Multi-Year Contract" . February 3, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-signs New Jersey Native Erica Skroski" . Sky Blue FC. February 6, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-signs Imani Dorsey" . Sky Blue FC. February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-signs Midfielder Elizabeth Eddy" . Sky Blue FC. February 20, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Re-signs Domi Richardson" . Sky Blue FC. February 26, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Kailen Sheridan Named SBFC Most Valuable Player Presented by Hackensack Meridian Health" . Sky Blue FC. July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020 .
^ @NWSL (July 25, 2020). "@Kailen_Sheridan is the Golden Glove, presented by @Verizon, award winner" (Tweet ). Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ Shimkin, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Kailen Sheridan Earns 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Golden Glove Award" . SkyBlueFC.com . Retrieved July 27, 2020 .
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