2020 Sky Blue FC 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.

Sky Blue FC
2020 season
Club ChairTammy Murphy[1]
Head coachFreya Coombe
StadiumRed Bull Arena
Harrison, New Jersey
(Capacity: 25,000)
NWSLCancelled
Challenge CupSemi-finals
Top goalscorerPaige Monaghan
Nahomi Kawasumi
Evelyne Viens (1)

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.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  CAN Kailen Sheridan
2 DF  USA Kaleigh Riehl
3 DF  USA Caprice Dydasco
4 MF  USA Paige Monaghan
5 MF  USA Nicole Baxter
6 MF  GHA Jennifer Cudjoe
7 MF  USA McCall Zerboni
8 DF  USA Erica Skroski
9 FW  JPN Nahomi Kawasumi
10 MF  USA Carli Lloyd
11 FW  USA Mallory Pugh
12 DF  USA Gina Lewandowski
13 GK  BIH DiDi Haracic
14 MF  USA Kenie Wright
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF  MEX Sabrina Flores
16 MF  USA Sarah Woldmoe (captain)
17 DF  USA Domi Richardson
18 MF  USA Cassidy Benintente
19 MF  USA Elizabeth Eddy
20 FW  CAN Evelyne Viens
21 GK  USA Mandy McGlynn
22 DF  USA Mandy Freeman
23 FW  USA Margaret Purce
24 DF  CMR Estelle Johnson
25 FW  USA Ifeoma Onumonu
26 DF  JAM Chantelle Swaby
28 MF  USA Imani Dorsey
35 GK  USA Megan Hinz
73 MF  USA Madison Tiernan

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[lower-alpha 1] Nationality Position(s) Date of birth
Goalkeepers
1 Kailen Sheridan GK (1995-07-16) July 16, 1995
13 DiDi Haracic GK (1992-04-12) April 12, 1992
21 Mandy McGlynn GK (1998-11-03) November 3, 1998
35 Megan Hinz GK (1995-12-04) December 4, 1995
Defenders
2 Kaleigh Riehl DF (1996-10-21) October 21, 1996
8 Erica Skroski DF (1994-02-14) February 14, 1994
12 Gina Lewandowski DF / MF (1985-04-13) April 13, 1985
15 Sabrina Flores DF / MF (1996-01-31) January 31, 1996
22 Mandy Freeman DF (1995-03-25) March 25, 1995
24 Estelle Johnson DF (1988-07-21) July 21, 1988
26 Chantelle Swaby DF (1998-08-06) August 6, 1998
Midfielders
5 Nicole Baxter MF (1994-05-12) May 12, 1994
6 Jennifer Cudjoe MF (1994-03-07) March 7, 1994
7 McCall Zerboni MF (1986-12-13) December 13, 1986
9 Nahomi Kawasumi MF / FW (1985-09-23) September 23, 1985
14 Kenie Wright MF (1997-08-22) August 22, 1997
16 Sarah Woldmoe (captain) MF (1992-07-27) July 27, 1992
17 Domi Richardson MF (1992-10-18) October 18, 1992
18 Cassidy Benintente MF / DF (1994-06-12) June 12, 1994
19 Elizabeth Eddy MF (1991-09-13) September 13, 1991
23 Margaret Purce MF / FW / DF (1995-09-18) September 18, 1995
73 Madison Tiernan MF (1995-07-03) July 3, 1995
Forwards
4 Paige Monaghan FW / MF (1996-11-13) November 13, 1996
20 Evelyne Viens FW (1997-02-06) February 6, 1997
25 Ifeoma Onumonu FW (1994-02-25) February 25, 1994
28 Imani Dorsey FW / MF / DF (1996-03-21) March 21, 1996
  1. 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
April 1, 2020 University of North CarolinaCancelledSky Blue FCNorth Carolina
April 4, 2020 University of VirginiaCancelledSky Blue FCNorth Carolina
April 5, 2020 North Carolina CourageCancelledSky Blue FCCary, North Carolina
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park

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]

April 19, 2020 1Orlando PrideCancelledSky Blue FCOrlando, Florida
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
April 16, 2020 2Sky Blue FCCancelledOL ReignHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
May 3, 2020 3Houston DashCancelledSky Blue FCHouston, Texas
Stadium: BBVA Stadium
May 9, 2020 4Sky Blue FCCancelledWashington SpiritHarrison, New Jersey
16:00 ET Stadium: Red Bull Arena
May 13, 2020 5Sky Blue FCCancelledNorth Carolina CourageHarrison, New Jersey
19:30 ET Stadium: Red Bull Arena
May 24, 2020 6Sky Blue FCCancelledHouston DashHarrison, New Jersey
15:00 ET Stadium: Red Bull Arena
May 30, 2020 7Portland Thorns FCCancelledSky Blue FCPortland, Oregon
22:30 ET Stadium: Providence Park
June 13, 2020 8Sky Blue FCCancelledChicago Red StarsHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
June 20, 2020 9Sky Blue FCCancelledUtah Royals FCHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
June 27, 2020 10OL ReignCancelledSky Blue FCTacoma, Washington
Stadium: Cheney Stadium
July 3, 2020 11Washington SpiritCancelledSky Blue FCLeesburg, Virginia
Stadium: Segra Field
July 11, 2020 12Portland Thorns FCCancelledSky Blue FCPortland, Oregon
Stadium: Providence Park
July 18, 2020 13Sky Blue FCCancelledNorth Carolina CourageHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
August 7, 2020 14Orlando PrideCancelledSky Blue FCOrlando, Florida
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
August 16, 2020 15Sky Blue FCCancelledHouston DashHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
August 23, 2020 16Chicago Red StarsCancelledSky Blue FCBridgeview, Illinois
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
August 30, 2020 17Washington SpiritCancelledSky Blue FCWashington, D.C.
Stadium: Audi Field
September 5, 2020 18Utah Royals FCCancelledSky Blue FCSandy, Utah
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
September 13, 2020 19Sky Blue FCCancelledOL ReignHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
September 26, 2020 20Sky Blue FCCancelledPortland Thorns FCHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
September 30, 2020 21North Carolina CourageCancelledSky Blue FCCary, North Carolina
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
October 3, 2020 22Sky Blue FCCancelledOrlando PrideHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
October 11, 2020 23Sky Blue FCCancelledUtah Royals FCHarrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
October 17, 2020 24Chicago Red StarsCancelledSky Blue FCBridgeview, Illinois
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium

Challenge Cup
Main article: 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

Preliminary round
Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 North Carolina Courage 4 4 0 0 7 1 +6 12
2 Washington Spirit 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7
3 OL Reign 4 1 2 1 1 2 −1 5
4 Houston Dash 4 1 1 2 5 6 −1 4
5 Utah Royals FC (H) 4 1 1 2 4 5 −1 4
6 Chicago Red Stars 4 1 1 2 2 3 −1 4[lower-alpha 1]
7 Sky Blue FC 4 1 1 2 2 3 −1 4[lower-alpha 1]
8 Portland Thorns FC 4 0 3 1 2 3 −1 3
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Host.
Notes:
  1. Chicago Red Stars won the tiebreaker against Sky Blue FC on fewer yellow cards (1 to 4).
Results by matchday
Round1234
GroundNNNN
ResultDLWL
Position5827
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]

June 30, 2020 1OL Reign0–0Sky Blue FCHerriman, Utah
22:00 EDT Cook  59' Report Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Michael Radchuk
July 4, 2020 2Utah Royals FC1–0Sky Blue FCHerriman, Utah
12:30 EDT Rodriguez  41'
Del Fava  46'
Ship  90+4'		 Report Purce  8'
Cudjoe  67'		 Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Katja Koroleva
July 8, 2020 3Sky Blue FC2–0Houston DashHerriman, Utah
22:00 EDT Monaghan  17'
Kawasumi  34'
Zerboni  37'
Woldmoe  64'		 Report Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Tori Penso
July 13, 2020 4Sky Blue FC0–2North Carolina CourageHerriman, Utah
22:00 EDT Report Mewis  7'
Dunn  56'		 Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Lukasz Szpala

Knockout round
Quarter-finals
July 18, 2020 Washington Spirit0–0
(3–4 p)		Sky Blue FCHerriman, Utah
12:30 EDT Report Johnson  18'
Evelyne Viens  90+2'		 Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Karen Abt
Penalties
Lavelle
Hatch
Staab
Thomas
Feist 		Woldmoe
Kawasumi
Richardson
Zerboni
Eddy
Semi-finals
July 22, 2020 Sky Blue FC2–3Chicago Red StarsSandy, Utah
22:00 EDT Viens  72'
Onumonu  74'
Ertz  77' (o.g.)		 Report St. Georges  8'
Hill  11'
McCaskill  60'		 Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Lukasz Szpala

Squad statistics

Appearances
As of match played July 22, 2020
No. Pos. Nat. Player Apps Starts
1 GK Kailen Sheridan 6 6
2 DF Kaleigh Riehl 1 1
4 FW Paige Monaghan 6 6
5 MF Nicole Baxter 1 0
6 MF Jennifer Cudjoe 6 4
7 MF McCall Zerboni 5 5
8 DF Erica Skroski 5 0
9 MF Nahomi Kawasumi 6 6
12 DF Gina Lewandowski 6 6
15 DF Sabrina Flores 6 4
16 MF Sarah Woldmoe 6 6
17 MF Domi Richardson 5 2
19 MF Elizabeth Eddy 5 1
20 FW Evelyne Viens 6 1
23 MF Margaret Purce 5 5
24 DF Estelle Johnson 6 5
25 FW Ifeoma Onumonu 6 5
28 FW Imani Dorsey 4 3
Total 6

Goals and assists
As of match played July 22, 2020
No. Nat. Pos. Player Goals Assists Total
4 FW Paige Monaghan 1 0 1
9 MF Nahomi Kawasumi 1 0 1
20 FW Evelyne Viens 1 0 1
25 FW Ifeoma Onumonu 0 1 1
7 MF McCall Zerboni 0 1 1
Own goals 1 – 1
Total 4 2 6

Shutouts
As of match played July 22, 2020
No. Nat. Player Total
1 Kailen Sheridan 3
Total 3

Disciplinary record
As of match played July 22, 2020
No. Pos. Nat. Player Total
23 MF Margaret Purce 1 0
6 MF Jennifer Cudjoe 1 0
7 MF McCall Zerboni 1 0
16 MF Sarah Woldmoe 1 0
24 DF Estelle Johnson 1 0
20 FW Evelyne Viens 1 0
25 FW Ifeoma Onumonu 1 0
Total 7 0

Transfers

2020 NWSL College Draft
Round Pick Nat. Player Pos. College
1 5 Evelyne Viens FW USF
2 11 Kaleigh Riehl DF Penn State
3 20 Amanda McGlynn GK Virginia Tech
4 29 Chantelle Swaby MF Rutgers

Transfers in
Date Nat. Player Pos. 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
Date Nat. Player Pos. Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
January 8, 2020 Raquel Rodriguez FW Portland Thorns FC Trade for Margaret Purce. [31]
January 18, 2020 Amandine Pierre-Louis DF FC Metz Waived. [32]
February 7, 2020 Jen Hoy FW Retired. [33]

Loans out
Start date End date Pos. No. Nat. Player Destination club Ref.
August 1, 2020 November 30, 2020 MF 19 Elizabeth Eddy Vittsjö GIK [34]

New contracts
Date Nat. Player Pos. Ref.
January 13, 2020 Sarah Woldmoe MF [35]
January 22, 2020 Estelle Johnson DF [36]
January 27, 2020 Nahomi Kawasumi MF [37]
January 29, 2020 Gina Lewandowski DF [38]
February 3, 2020 Paige Monaghan MF [39]
February 6, 2020 Erica Skroski DF [40]
February 13, 2020 Imani Dorsey MF [41]
February 20, 2020 Elizabeth Eddy MF [42]
February 26, 2020 Domi Richardson DF [43]

Awards

Team

NWSL Challenge Cup

References
  1. "Ownership". Sky Blue FC. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  2. "Statement from NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird regarding the 2020 season" (Press release). NWSL Media Staff. March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  3. "COVID-19 resources and updates for NWSL fans" (Press release). NWSL Media Staff. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  4. Levine, Matthew (April 24, 2020). "NWSL extends training moratorium through May 15" (Press release). Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  5. "NWSL to allow small group training starting Monday". skybluefc.com. May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  6. Levine, Matthew (May 27, 2020). "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret" (Press release). Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  7. "2020 Champions Cup Presented by P&G and Secret Roster Rules" (PDF) (Press release). NWSL. June 13, 2020. p. 3. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  8. 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.
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  19. Hays, Graham (June 22, 2020). "Orlando Pride pull out of NWSL Cup after 10 positive coronavirus tests". ESPN. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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  29. "Sky Blue FC Signs Sabrina Flores to Two-Year Deal". skybluefc.com. June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
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  31. "Sky Blue FC Acquires Margaret "Midge" Purce from Portland Thorns FC". Sky Blue FC. January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  32. "Une nouvelle recrue pour le FC Metz". Le Républican Lorrain (in French). January 18, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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  34. "Elizabeth Eddy Loaned to Vittsjo GIK in Sweden". Sky Blue FC. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  35. "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Midfielder Sarah Killion". Sky Blue FC. January 13, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  36. "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Defender Estelle Johnson". Sky Blue FC. January 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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  38. "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Defender Gina Lewandowski". Sky Blue FC. January 29, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  39. "Sky Blue FC Re-signs New Jersey Native Paige Monaghan to Multi-Year Contract". February 3, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  40. "Sky Blue FC Re-signs New Jersey Native Erica Skroski". Sky Blue FC. February 6, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  41. "Sky Blue FC Re-signs Imani Dorsey". Sky Blue FC. February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  42. "Sky Blue FC Re-signs Midfielder Elizabeth Eddy". Sky Blue FC. February 20, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  43. "Sky Blue FC Re-signs Domi Richardson". Sky Blue FC. February 26, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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