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League: National Women’s Soccer League
Location: Harrison, NJ
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Owners: Tammy Murphy, Phil Murphy, Steven Temares, Ed Nalbandian
''Representing the New York/New Jersey area, Sky Blue FC was one of the early pioneers of women's soccer. Originally known as Jersey Sky Blue, the club was a member of the USL W-League — a sort of bridge between the amateur and professional levels. In 2009, the organization split between a W-League team, the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, and a fully professional club, the Sky Blue FC of the Women’s Professional Soccer. Sky Blue FC made history with a victory over Los Angeles 1-0 to capture the inaugural WPS championship. Following the dissolution of the WPS in 2012, Sky Blue found a new home in the recently established National Women’s Soccer League. During the league’s inaugural season, Sky Blue qualified for the postseason with a fourth-place finish and a 10-6-6 record. However, the club lost 2-0 to the Western New York Flash in the semifinals match. StubHub is a leading source for Sky Blue FC tickets to all home and away games.'
'Soccer star Sam Kerr, the captain of the Australian national team, was perhaps the best player in club history. During her time with Sky Blue between 2015 and 2017, Kerr led the team in goals every single year. She also set the league's single-season scoring record with an astounding 17 goals in 2017. This record stood for two seasons until Kerr broke the mark again with 18 goals as a member of the Chicago Red Stars. Carli Lloyd and Monica Ocampo are both tied for the second most single-season goals in Sky Blue history.'
'Sky Blue FC finished eighth in the league with 20 points and a 5-14-5 record. During the regular season, Carli Lloyd was the team’s top scorer with eight goals and a single assist. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan had a 0.68 goals against average in 19 matches.'
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Sky Blue FC begins the 2020 campaign with an away game at the
Orlando Pride
on April 19. The home opener then takes place on April 26 against
Reign FC
. Some of the important dates on the calendar include a first responders night against the
North Carolina Courage
on May 13, a health and wellness day against the
Houston Dash
on May 24, a champion women night against the
Chicago Red Stars
on June 13, an Olympic send-off against
Utah Royals
on June 20, a pride night against the Courage on July 18, a back-to-school day against the Dash on Aug. 16, an Olympic return night against Reign FC on Sept. 13, a Broadway night against the
Portland Thorns
on Sept. 26, a petpalooza event against Orlando on Oct. 3 and a fan appreciation against Utah on Oct. 11. Sky Blue would need to finish in the top four of the league to qualify for the postseason, which begins with the semifinal matches on Nov. 8 and concludes with a championship match on Nov. 14.
''Freya Coombe is the head coach of Sky Blue FC. She had previously served in the Reading FC organization as the director of coaching and the women’s development team manager. She joined Sky Blue as the interim head coach in Sept. 2019.'
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After 10 seasons at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University, Sky Blue FC officially moves into
Red Bull Arena
for the 2020 season. Located near the Passaic River just to the east of Newark, Red Bull Arena is the home of the
New York Red Bulls
of MLS. The arena has a total seating capacity of approximately 25,000.
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