Tag: Breaking News

Denise Reddy Named Head Coach Of Sky Blue FC

Posted on by RJ Allen

Sky Blue FC has announced that Denise Reddy has been hired as the new head coach of the team.

Reddy, who most recently served as assistant coach with the Washington Spirit, has head coaching experience from time spent in Sweden, Denmark, and the United States.

“Words cannot describe how excited and honored I am to be the Head Coach of Sky Blue FC. This is where my coaching career started, and it feels great to be back in Jersey and part of such a professional organization. I am looking forward to starting this journey with such top-class players and cannot wait to get on the pitch.” said Reddy.

“We are thrilled that Denise has agreed to join our organization. Her diverse experience, passion and approach to the game are a wonderful fit. We strongly believe Denise is the right person to provide our players with the development, preparation and leadership they deserve, and we look forward to the upcoming season.” said Steven Temares, Sky Blue FC co-owner.

Reddy replaces former Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly, who stepped down from his position in August. 

Andonovski to Seattle, Harvey to U.S. Soccer

Posted on by RJ Allen

It has been confirmed that FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski has been hired by Seattle Reign FC for the 2018 season, replacing longtime coach Laura Harvey.

Andonovski, who was with Kansas City since 2013, led the team to two NWSL titles in 2014 and 2015. His contract with the team expired at the end of the 2017 season. He leaves the club with a 47-37-25 overall record.

“We thank Vlatko for all he has done for this club and we wish him the best of luck in the future,” said FC Kansas City owner Elam Baer.

There is no news of a replacement for Andonovski at this time.

Harvey, who had been with Seattle Reign FC since the inaugural NWSL season in 2013, will be taking a yet-undisclosed expanded role within the U.S. Women’s National Team. She leaves Reign FC with a 51-33-26 overall record, with two NWSL Shield wins in 2014 and 2015 and two NWSL Finals appearances in 2014 and 2015.

“I am deeply appreciative of all Laura gave to our organization over the past five years. She is a brilliant coach, but more importantly, she is a tremendous individual — there is nobody I would have rather worked with to build the club. Laura’s impact will be felt long after she departs, as she helped establish the enduring values that define what it means to be a part of our organization.” said Reign FC owner Bill Predmore.

Harvey had this to say:

Ellis Names Roster For Canada Friendlies

Posted on by RJ Allen

Jill Ellis has named 23 players to the roster for two friendlies between the U.S. Women’s National Team and the Canadian Women’s National Team to close out 2017.

Tobin Heath and Taylor Smith both return to the roster after missing the September friendlies due to injuries suffered in the NWSL final. 

Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), and Morgan Brian (Chicago Red Stars) were all unavailable for selection due to injuries.  Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC) was not released by her club, which is playing Round of 16 Champions League matches on November 8 and 15.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (8): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Sofia Huerta (Chicago Red Stars), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Taylor Smith (NC Courage), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC), Chioma Ubogagu (Orlando Pride)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Andi Sullivan (Stanford)

FORWARDS (5): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)

Ellis Names Roster For Korea Republic Friendlies

Posted on by RJ Allen

Jill Ellis has named 22 players to the roster for two friendlies between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Korea Republic.

Carli Lloyd returns to the roster while continuing to recover from an ankle injury, while Stanford senior Andi Sullivan returns to camp after recovering from an ACL tear suffered in late 2016.

Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers) will be in camp,  but will not be on the game day rosters as she continues to work her way back to full fitness.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Campbell (Houston Dash), Harris (Orlando Pride), Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (7): Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Huerta (Chicago Red Stars), O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Short (Chicago Red Stars), Smith (NC Courage)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Lloyd (Houston Dash), Long (Portland Thorns FC), Mewis (NC Courage), Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Sullivan (Stanford)

FORWARDS (5): Dunn (Chelsea FC), Morgan (Orlando Pride), Press (Chicago Red Stars), Pugh (Washington Spirit), Williams (NC Courage)

Breaking: FIFA Approves Change Of National Association For Huerta

Posted on by RJ Allen

U.S. Soccer has announced that FIFA has approved a one-time change of national association for Chicago Red Stars player Sofia Huerta.

Huerta had previously represented Mexico in official competition at the Under-20 National Team level but had no official appearances with the Mexican senior team.

Huerta is now eligible to play for the U.S. Women’s National Team at the senior level, including their friendlies against New Zealand on Sept. 15 and Sept. 19.

“I want to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity and I sincerely appreciate the work that went into getting this change done,” Huerta said in U.S. Soccer’s press release. “Now it’s about working to continue to improve and trying to earn my chance to get on the field.”

If she plays in either of the New Zealand matches, Huerta will become the second Mexican-American player in USWNT history to earn a cap.

 

Breaking: Ellis Names Roster for New Zealand Friendlies

Posted on by RJ Allen

Jill Ellis has named 22 players to the roster for two friendlies between the U.S. Women’s National Team and New Zealand.

Carli Lloyd is recovering from an ankle injury and will miss the two matches. Other notable absences include Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, and Sydney Leroux.

Tobin Heath, Rose Lavelle, Morgan Brian and Ashlyn Harris all return to the roster after recovering from various injuries. Megan Rapinoe is also available for selection after recovering from a knee injury suffered in the Tournament of Nations.

Chicago Red Stars forward Sofia Huerta will once again train with the team as U.S. Soccer pursues a change of association with FIFA.  If the change is approved, Huerta will immediately be eligible to play with the USWNT.

If she makes an appearance in either of the two matches, Kelley O’Hara will become the 36th player in USWNT history to reach 100 caps.

 

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride)

DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Tierna Davidson (Stanford), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Taylor Smith (NC Courage)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Chicago Red Stars), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsay Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)

Breaking News: Chicago Red Stars Acquire Morgan Brian

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Chicago Red Stars have announced that they acquired US Women’s National Team midfielder Morgan Brian in a trade with the Houston Dash.

https://twitter.com/chicagoredstars/status/902931494322270208

In exchange for Brian, the Red Stars have sent Kristie Mewis and future considerations to Houston. Mewis was traded to the Red Stars from the Washington Spirit on August 21 and scored one goal in what would be her only appearance for Chicago on August 26.

Morgan Brian was drafted to the Dash as the first overall pick in 2015, and she made 33 appearances with the team. She has been dealing with injuries throughout the 2017 season and has not played since July 23. It is not known at this time when she will appear for the Red Stars.

Mewis will be available to play for the Dash’s game against Seattle Reign FC on September 3.

 

Breaking News: Christie Pearce to Miss Remainder of Season

Posted on by RJ Allen

Sky Blue FC has announced that defender Christie Pearce will miss the remainder of the 2017 season due to accumulating injuries.

“I’ve always had a really good awareness of my body and the ability to recover,” Pearce said in the Sky Blue press release. “I feel that I started the season off strong, but I’ve been consistently fighting through injuries, and I’m not able to give to the team what I consider to be my 100%. This decision, while it is hard to swallow, I know is the right thing for me and the team because I just can’t leave it all on the field every day. Something I must do is personally thank all of the fans. I feel so privileged to have their unwavering support, and they have always stood by me through thick and thin.”

Pearce, who earned 311 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team between 1997 and 2015, has played for Sky Blue FC since the founding of the NWSL in 2013.

In 2009 she was the player coach of the Sky Blue FC team that won the WPS championship title.

A two-time world cup champion (1999 and 2015) and three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, and 2012), Pearce announced in June 2017 that her retirement would likely come at the end of the 2017 season.

Breaking News: Breakers’ Amanda DaCosta Announces Retirement

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Boston Breakers have announced that midfielder Amanda DaCosta will retire following their game against the Orlando Pride this Saturday.

Prior to being traded to the Breakers in 2016, DaCosta played for the Chicago Red Stars in 2016 – having 14 appearances, the Washington Spirit in 2015 – scoring three goals in 17 appearances, Liverpool Ladies FC in the FA WSL – scoring three goals in 40 appearances with the team from 2012 to 2014, and the Boston Breakers of the WPSL Elite.  In the 2017 season, DaCosta has played 10 games for the Breakers.

Internationally, DaCosta played for the Portuguese national team in the UEFA Women’s European Championship, where Portugal failed to make it past the group stage on tiebreakers.

DaCosta had this to say about her retirement in the Breakers press release:

“Making this decision to retire from soccer was never going to be an easy one, and I want to thank the Boston Breakers for supporting me in this choice. I have opportunities happening around me that I can’t pass up at this point in my life, and I am looking forward to seeing where life after soccer takes me. I have so much love for my fans, friends, family, coaches, and teammates that I can’t begin to put into words. I am simply so grateful for each and every one of you for inspiring me, believing in me, and challenging me to be a better person and athlete. I can’t wait to continue to be a fan and spectator of the NWSL as I close this chapter. I have seen so much growth in women’s soccer over the past seven years of my career, and I know big things are in the future for us all.”

Breaking News: Christy Holly Steps Down as Sky Blue FC Coach

Posted on by RJ Allen

Christy Holly has announced that he will be stepping down from his position as Sky Blue FC Head Coach, effective immediately.

Sky Blue FC President and General Manager Tony Novo had this to say about Holly’s departure:

“First and foremost, we want to thank Christy Holly for everything he has done for Sky Blue FC. From the first day he came to our club as an assistant coach, Christy has always been committed to Sky Blue FC, and we wish him nothing but the greatest of successes in whatever he chooses to do going forward.”

Holly, who has been head coach for Sky Blue FC since January 2016, held an overall record of 14-7-17. In the current season, Sky Blue FC is 7-2-9 and aiming for a place in the NWSL playoffs.

There has been no news of a head coaching replacement at this time.