Sky Blue FC 2020 football season
The 2020 Sky Blue FC season is 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]
On August 25, the NWSL announced that the season would continue with a Fall Series beginning on September 5. Per the rules of the series, Sky Blue played four matches as part of a three-team regional pod with the Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit.[10] Sky Blue ultimately placed fourth in the Fall Series.
Team [ ]
First-team roster [ ]
As of November 16, 2020 [11]
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.[12] On June 26, Madison Tiernan was also ruled out of the tournament with an injury.[13]
Squad no.
Name[a]
Nationality
Position(s)
Date of birth
Goalkeepers
1
Kailen Sheridan
GK
(1995-07-16 ) July 16, 1995 (age 26)
13
DiDi Haracic
GK
(1992-04-12 ) April 12, 1992 (age 29)
21
Mandy McGlynn
GK
(1998-11-03 ) November 3, 1998 (age 22)
35
Megan Hinz
GK
(1995-12-04 ) December 4, 1995 (age 25)
Defenders
2
Kaleigh Riehl
DF
(1996-10-21 ) October 21, 1996 (age 24)
8
Erica Skroski
DF
(1994-02-14 ) February 14, 1994 (age 27)
12
Gina Lewandowski
DF / MF
(1985-04-13 ) April 13, 1985 (age 36)
15
Sabrina Flores
DF / MF
(1996-01-31 ) January 31, 1996 (age 25)
22
Mandy Freeman
DF
(1995-03-25 ) March 25, 1995 (age 26)
24
Estelle Johnson
DF
(1988-07-21 ) July 21, 1988 (age 33)
26
Chantelle Swaby
DF
(1998-08-06 ) August 6, 1998 (age 23)
Midfielders
5
Nicole Baxter
MF
(1994-05-12 ) May 12, 1994 (age 27)
6
Jennifer Cudjoe
MF
(1994-03-07 ) March 7, 1994 (age 27)
7
McCall Zerboni
MF
(1986-12-13 ) December 13, 1986 (age 34)
9
Nahomi Kawasumi
MF / FW
(1985-09-23 ) September 23, 1985 (age 35)
14
Kenie Wright
MF
(1997-08-22 ) August 22, 1997 (age 24)
16
Sarah Woldmoe (captain )
MF
(1992-07-27 ) July 27, 1992 (age 29)
17
Domi Richardson
MF
(1992-10-18 ) October 18, 1992 (age 28)
18
Cassidy Benintente
MF / DF
(1994-06-12 ) June 12, 1994 (age 27)
19
Elizabeth Eddy
MF
(1991-09-13 ) September 13, 1991 (age 30)
23
Margaret Purce
MF / FW / DF
(1995-09-18 ) September 18, 1995 (age 25)
73
Madison Tiernan
MF
(1995-07-03 ) July 3, 1995 (age 26)
Forwards
4
Paige Monaghan
FW / MF
(1996-11-13 ) November 13, 1996 (age 24)
20
Evelyne Viens
FW
(1997-02-06 ) February 6, 1997 (age 24)
25
Ifeoma Onumonu
FW
(1994-02-25 ) February 25, 1994 (age 27)
28
Imani Dorsey
FW / MF / DF
(1996-03-21 ) March 21, 1996 (age 25)
^ denotes season-ending injury.
Coaching staff [ ]
As of June 16, 2020 [14] [15]
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 [ ]
Overview [ ]
Competition
First match
Last match
Starting round
Final position
Record
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Win %
NWSL Fall Series
September 5, 2020
October 10, 2020
Matchday 1
Fourth place
4
2
0
2
6
7
−1
0 50.00
Challenge Cup
June 30, 2020
July 22, 2020
Preliminary round
Semi-finals
6
1
2
3
4
6
−2
0 16.67
Total
10
3
2
5
10
13
−3
0 30.00
Preseason [ ]
Preseason training and matches were originally scheduled to take place beginning on March 28,[16] but on March 12 all preseason matches were cancelled.[17]
Matches [ ]
National Women's Soccer League [ ]
Regular season [ ]
Matches [ ]
The regular season schedule was announced on February 25, 2020.[18] [19] However, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic , the regular season was eventually cancelled and replaced by the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup .[7]
Fall Series [ ]
On September 1, the NWSL announced a partial schedule for the NWSL Fall Series.[20] The full schedule was subsequently announced on September 3.[21]
Standings [ ]
Source:
NWSL Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (C) Champions
Results by matchday [ ]
Round 1 2 3 4 Ground A A H H Result W L L W Position 1 5 6 4
Updated to match(es) played on October 10, 2020. Source:
NWSLsoccer.com A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
Matches [ ]
Challenge Cup [ ]
Preliminary round [ ]
Standings [ ]
Source:
NWSL Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (H) Host
Notes:
^ Jump up to: 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 22, 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.[22] A revised schedule was subsequently announced on June 23.[23]
Knockout round [ ]
Quarter-finals [ ]
Semi-finals [ ]
Squad statistics [ ]
Appearances [ ]
As of match played October 10, 2020
Goals and assists [ ]
As of match played October 10, 2020
Shutouts [ ]
As of match played October 10, 2020
Disciplinary record [ ]
As of match played October 10, 2020
Transfers [ ]
Transfers in [ ]
January 16, 2020
Mallory Pugh
FW
Washington Spirit
Trade for draft slots.
[24]
January 17, 2020
Ifeoma Onumonu
FW
OL Reign
Trade for rights to Julia Ashley .
[25]
February 11, 2020
Evelyne Viens
FW
USF
Draft pick. Two-year deal.
[26]
February 11, 2020
Kaleigh Riehl
DF
Penn State
Draft pick. One-year deal.
[26]
March 2, 2020
McCall Zerboni
MF
North Carolina Courage
Trade for rights to Hailie Mace .
[27]
March 7, 2020
Margaret Purce
FW / MF
Portland Thorns FC
Trade for Raquel Rodriguez .
[28]
June 12, 2020
Mandy McGlynn
GK
Virginia Tech
Draft pick. One-year deal.
[29]
June 18, 2020
Jennifer Cudjoe
MF
Asheville City SC
Short-term contract.
[30]
June 18, 2020
Nicole Baxter
MF
Asarums IF FK
Short-term contract.
[31]
June 18, 2020
Cassidy Benintente
MF / DF
Asarums IF FK
Short-term contract.
[30]
June 21, 2020
Sabrina Flores
DF / MF
Sevilla
Signed two-year deal.
[32]
June 22, 2020
Chantelle Swaby
DF
Rutgers
Draft pick. Short-term contract.
[33]
October 2, 2020
Mikaela Howell
FW
Short-term contract.
[34]
Transfers out [ ]
Loans out [ ]
New contracts [ ]
January 13, 2020
Sarah Woldmoe
MF
[44]
January 22, 2020
Estelle Johnson
DF
[45]
January 27, 2020
Nahomi Kawasumi
MF
[46]
January 29, 2020
Gina Lewandowski
DF
[47]
February 3, 2020
Paige Monaghan
MF
[48]
February 6, 2020
Erica Skroski
DF
[49]
February 13, 2020
Imani Dorsey
MF
[50]
February 20, 2020
Elizabeth Eddy
MF
[51]
February 26, 2020
Domi Richardson
DF
[52]
August 28, 2020
Jennifer Cudjoe
MF
[53]
September 4, 2020
Nicole Baxter
MF
[39]
Awards [ ]
Team [ ]
Challenge Cup [ ]
NWSL Challenge Cup [ ]
Nominated [ ]
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 .
^ Jump up to: 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 .
^ Jump up to: a b Levine, Matthew (May 27, 2020). "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret" (Press release). Retrieved May 29, 2020 .
^ Jump up to: 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 .
^ "NWSL to continue breakout 2020 season with fall series" (Press release). NWSL Media Staff. August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 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 .
^ "NWSL 2020 fall series schedule highlights regional rivalries, innovative solutions" . NWSL Media Staff. September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020 .
^ "NWSL announces remaining 2020 fall series schedule and CBS broadcast talent" . NWSL Media Staff. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 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. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Acquires Ifeoma Onumonu from Reign FC" . Sky Blue FC. January 17, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ Jump up to: 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 .
^ Jump up to: 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 Signs Forward Mikaela Howell to Short-Term Contract" . Sky Blue FC. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 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 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Midfielder Madison Tiernan Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer" . Sky Blue FC. September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020 .
^ Jump up to: a b c "Sky Blue FC Announces 2020 NWSL Fall Series Roster" . skybluefc.com . September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020 .
^ "Elizabeth Eddy Loaned to Vittsjo GIK in Sweden" . Sky Blue FC. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi Loaned to INAC Kobe in Japan" . Sky Blue FC. August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Forward Evelyne Viens Loaned to Paris FC" . Sky Blue FC. August 31, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020 .
^ Paris, Valentin (September 18, 2020). "Kaleigh Riehl prêtée au Paris FC" . parisfc.fr (in French). Retrieved September 18, 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 .
^ "Sky Blue FC Signs Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe to Multi-Year Contract" . Sky Blue FC. August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020 .
^ @SkyBlueFC (November 2, 2020). "Queen of the North