2019 Sky Blue FC

2019.05.25 Yurcak Field, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

Sky Blue faced the Portland Torns. Both teams were missing their National Team Members who are getting ready for the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup, which starts on June 7 in France. 

Sky Blue was without Carli Lloyd (USA) Kailen Sheridan (Canada) Estelle Johnson (Cameroon) and the Thorns were missing Tobin Heath, Adrianna Franch, Emily Sonnett, Lindsay Horan (USA), Christin Sinclair (Canada) Andressa (Brazil) Caitlin Ford, Ellie Carpenter (Australia)

Portland won the game on a Margaret Purce goal in the 69 minute. Although possession was 51-49 in favor of the Thorns, Sky Blue had difficulty setting up an offense was they were outshot 7-1

One of the nice things about attending a small venue to watch these games, was the entrance of Portland Thorns' Madison Pogarch, who is a Rutgers Student, into her first professional game. Her family was sitting a few rows in front of us. A proud moment

Mini-poster and game program

Caprice Dydasco, Jen Hoy, Naho Kawasumi

2019 Sky Blue FC v Houston Dash, Yurcak Field, Rutgers

20190420 Sky Blue FC v Houston Dash

Yurcak Field, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

I have not been to a game in a while, so it was nice to get out and see some live action.

Although Sky Blue was the team we were rooting for, it was easy to see that Houston was the stronger team. If it weren't for the exceptional play in goal by Kailen Sheridan, this game could have been a blow-out. The 1-0 score does not give credit to the Dash's efforts. 

The passing accuracy of 68% for Sky Blue was evident by soft passes that did not make their intended mark, throughout the game. Sky Blue did  have a better second half when they finally challenged the Dash keeper.

The Houston goal was scored by Sofia Huerta.

Magnetic schedule game-day promo

A nice surprise was the game-day program, which was handed out free to attendees. It was a simple design of a 17x11 folded paper, which when unfolded provides both team lineups and a nice mini-poster of Imani Dorsey, Raquel Rodriguez and Sarah Killion.

Carli Lloyd as on the cover

2009 - Women's Professional Soccer

Collette McCallum

Australian National Team

FIFA World Cup - 2007

Pali Blues (W-League) 2008

Perth Glory (Australia) 2008-09

Sky Blue FC

Rosana

Brazialian National Team

Olympics 2000, 2004, 2008

FIFA World Cup 2003, 2007

Sky Blue FC

Christine Shaner

FC Indiana (WPSL) 2003-2008

Sky Blue FC

Keeley Dowling

Charlotte Lady Eagles (W-Legaue) 2005

Kif Orebro (Sweden) 2006-07

Sky Blue FC

Sarah Walsh

Australian National Team

Olympics 2004

FIFA World Cup 2007

Pali Blues (W-League) 2008

Sydney FC (Australia) 2008-09

Sky Blue FC

Meghan Schnur

New England Mutiny (WPSL) 2004-07

Sky Blue FC

Jen Buczkowski

Chicago Cobras (W-League) 2004

Chicago Gaels (W-League) 2005-08

Sky Blue FC

Karen Bardsley

English National Team

Algarve Cup 2005

Ajax America (WPSL) 2007

Pali blues (W-League) 2008

Sky Blue FC

From the pages of Mike's autograph book....these autographs were obtained on 2009.04.05 TD Bank Stadium, Somerset - NJ, Sky Blue v Los Angeles Sol inaugural game of the WPS...

Sky Blue FC

Heather O'Reilly - US National Team (2002- )

- 2004 Summer Olympics

- 2007 FIFA World Cup

- 2008 Summer Olympics

- 2011 FIFA World Cup

NJ Wildcats 2004-2005

Sky Blue FC 2009-

Jillian Loyden - US National Team 2010-

Jersey Sky Blue 2007-2008

St. Louis Athleica 2009

Central Coast Mariners 2009

Chicago Red Stars 2010

magicJack 2011

2008

prior to the start of the WPS, Jersey Sky Blue, which would change their name to SKy Blue Soccer

Sky Blue - Jillian Loyden

Jillian Loyden - Sky Blue card (4x6)

A native of New Jersey, Loyden played for the Jersey Sky Blue FC 2007-2008 prior to the formation of the Women's Professional Soccer League..

In 2009 when the WPS started Loyden went to the Saint Louis Athletica. In 2010 she was traded to the Chicago Red Stars..

When the WPS started play the Jersey Sky Blue adopted the name Sky Blue FC.

Christine Pearce - US National Team

 

Christine (Pearce) Rampone - US National Team - Defender

Central Jersey Splash - 1997 (W-League)

New jersey Lady Stallions - 1998 (W-League)

New York Power - 2001-2003 (WUSA)

Sky Blue FC - 2009-2010 (WPS)

Washington Freedom - 2011 (WPS)

US National Team -

1999, 2003, 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup

2000, 2004, 2008 Olympics

- 2000 Silver Medal

- 2004 Gold Medal

- 2008 Gold Medal

Heather O'Rielly - US National Team

Addidas promotional card for US National Player Heather O'Reilly...A member of the US National team since 2002, served as co-captain of the inaugural 2009 Sky Blue FC team, which would go on to win the 2009 WPS Championship...

2009 Skyblue FC

Sky Blue FC game day program with Tasha Kai on the front cover...

2009 - Sky Blue FC - WPS Inaugural Game

April 5, 2009 Inaugural game Sky Blue Fc v LA Sol, TD Bank Ballpark, Somerset, NJ...In it's first two home games of the inaugural season of the Women's Professional Soccer League, Sky Blue FC played their home games at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots baseball team.

After the WUSA folded, a reorganization committee was formed to help found a new and stronger league...the Women's Professional Soccer league was formed with teams in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis.

In 2008 the WPS was announced and the league logo introduced, featuring the silhouette of Mia Hamm (in a much copied look from Major League Baseball).

Sky Blue would lose their first game to the Sol 2-0, as the Brazilian sensation Marta connected for both goals. It was strange to watch a soccer game in a baseball park, the dimensions of the field made the seating difficult. The atmosphere of the crowd however made the game enjoyable. At the end of the game, fans rushed to the railings to meet the players, many of whom were very accommodating in greeting their fans...

More than 6,000 fans were in the sell out crowd, Gov Jon Corzine welcomed the team and Julie Foudy and her daughter provided the ceremonial first kick.

May 31, 2009 first home game at Yurcak Field, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Making Yurcak Field their home pitch, facing the Boston Breakers...After playing their first two home games at a baseball field, Sky blue moved to Yurcak Field. In their first game Sky Blue would defeat the Boston Breakers 2-1 before 3,493 fans. Goals for Sky Blue came from Natasha Kai and Kacey White.

Sky Blue would finish in 4th place and earn a place in the playoffs, which they would go on to win becoming the first champions of the WPS.