The Telephone Game...

Hopefully, this also means that they'll go on sale soon!
Hey there, This is Amanda, I'm the Web Coordinator at WPS. I enjoy reading your blog about Sky Blue FC. Also, wanted to let your readers know that WPS will be unveiling the WPS team jerseys (personally I think Sky Blue's are awesome!!!) online at http://fancorner.womensprosoccer.com/events/wps-team-kit-unveiling immediately following the event in Manhattan. Thanks!

Tough Clothes for Tough Times!!

So sayeth the recent news article, and they must mean jerseys! If you have a soccer jersey fetish, it's going to be a good week. The WPS is finally unveiling its new soccer jerseys! HAO and Rempone will represent SBFC, and we assume the SBFC jerseys will look like the ones HAO is signing in the above pic. No word yet if fans can attend or not, but we especially want to see the fabulous Christian Siriano "fashion interpretations" of the uniforms - the possibilities are endless!

UPDATE: you're not invited. WPS says invitation only.


Event DetailsTime: February 24, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Manhattan, New York City
Website or Map: http://www.womensprosoccer.com
Event Description: On Tuesday, February 24th, PUMA and WPS will unveil the uniforms for the WPS 2009 Inaugural Season, including both Home and Away styles. In addition to the uniforms, fashion designer Christian Siriano will showcase his fashion interpretation of the Home and Away uniforms, creating two unique outfits inspired by the sport and team uniforms.

Players!
- Marta and Johanna Frisk, Los Angeles Sol
- Amy Rodriguez and Angela Hucles, Boston Breakers
- Leslie Osborne and Christina DiMartino, FC Gold Pride (SF Bay Area)
- Carli Lloyd and Nikki Krzysik, Chicago Red Stars
- Hope Solo and Lori Chalupny, Saint Louis Athletica
- Heather O’Reilly and Christie Rampone, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
- Allie Long and Sarah Huffman, Washington Freedom

Fashion Designers and Icons!
- Christian Siriano, Fashion designer, Winner of TV’s Project Runway Season 4
- Summer Sanders, Event emcee, and two-time Olympic Gold medalist
- Tonya Antonucci, Commissioner of Women’s Professional Soccer
- Paul Gautier, Global Head of International Marketing for PUMA AG

* * * Images of the team kits will be available - right here at the Fan Corner - immediately following the event. * * *

We Just Got A Letter! (from HAO)

From answering machine message announcing to letter writing, HAO does it all:
Dear Soccer Fan,

I vividly recall sitting in the stands for the 1999 Women's World Cup-the largest watched women's sporting event in history. And only three years later, in 2002, I made the U.S. National Team. From fan, to player-I realized my dream.

It was being there, live and in person, actually seeing the best women in the world play-that inspired me beyond words.

What I have learned in the years since is that players and fans alike all share the experience. It is the joy of being in the atmosphere of the live soccer action, and the sounds of young girls screaming. I know; I was once that screaming little girl.

What is so unique about being a Sky Blue FC player is that now I am playing at home-in my own community. New Jersey soccer helped me form my identity-the gritty, "never let down" part of my player personality.

I invite you to share in the experience. Come out and watch me, and all of my Sky Blue FC teammates, play in Women's Professional Soccer. With your support, accompanied by your cheering, I'm confident that we will be in the best league of its kind in the world.

Buy your tickets today at www.SkyBlueStore.com or call 888-SBFC-TIX, and tell them Heather sent you!

See you at the stadium!


Heather


Heather O'Reilly, a US Olympic Gold Medalist, joined Sky Blue FC during the 2008 US Women's National Team Allocation. Heather grew up playing youth soccer in East Brunswick, NJ - a true Jersey girl. She went on to star at the University of North Carolina for two NCAA College Cup championships and has been a mainstay on the US National team roster since 2003.

SBFC 2009 Schedule!!

The WPS 2009 Schedule has just been released, and SBFC's schedule is below.

1. They will play Boston and Chicago 4 times each and will play the remaining teams 3 times each. So apparently the league sees a rivalry between SBFC and Boston/Chicago rather than Washington.
2. Six of the games will be on TV.
3. Oddly enough, SBFC will play LA, Bay Area, and Chicago 2 times each before they play anyone else.
4. July will feature a home-and-away with Boston.
5. There may be ancillary games too, though SBFC has not listed any on its site. However, the Washington Freedom list preseason, charity, and friendlies on their schedule - including a preseason game against SBFC. And it is not clear whether any extra SBFC games would be included in the season ticket package.
6. Preliminary information indicates that the May 23 and August 8 games against Washington will actually be at RFK Stadium.

Home Team Away Team Venue Time (ET) TV
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) Los Angeles Sol TD Bank Park, Bridgewater, NJ TBD

Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sky Blue FC FC Gold Pride TD Bank Park, Bridgewater, NJ TBD

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Chicago Red Stars Sky Blue FC Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL 6pm ET FSC

Sunday, May 3, 2009
FC Gold Pride Sky Blue FC Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, CA TBD

Sunday, May 10, 2009
Chicago Red Stars Sky Blue FC Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL 6pm ET FSC

Friday, May 15, 2009
Los Angeles Sol Sky Blue FC Home Depot Center, Carson, CA 10:30 ET

Saturday, May 23, 2009
Washington Freedom Sky Blue FC Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown, MD TBD

Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sky Blue FC Boston Breakers Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ 6pm ET FSC

Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saint Louis Athletica Sky Blue FC Korte Stadium, Edwardsville, IL 8pm ET

Saturday, June 13, 2009
Sky Blue FC Los Angeles Sol Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ TBD

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sky Blue FC Chicago Red Stars Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ TBD

Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sky Blue FC Saint Louis Athletica Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ 6pm ET FSC

Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sky Blue FC Boston Breakers Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ TBD

Sunday, July 12, 2009
Boston Breakers Sky Blue FC Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA TBD FSC

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sky Blue FC Washington Freedom Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ TBD

Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sky Blue FC Chicago Red Stars Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ TBD FSC

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saint Louis Athletica Sky Blue FC Korte Stadium, Edwardsville, IL 8pm ET

Saturday, July 25, 2009
Boston Breakers Sky Blue FC Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA 7pm ET

Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Sky Blue FC FC Gold Pride Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ TBD

Saturday, August 8, 2009
Washington Freedom Sky Blue FC Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown, MD TBD

Playoffs, First Round - August 15, 2009
No. 3 No. 4 TBD TBD FSN
Playoffs, Super Semifinal - August 18/19, 2009
No. 2 Winner First Round TBD TBD FSC
Playoffs, WPS Final - August 22, 2009
No. 1 Winner Super Semifinal TBD TBD FSN

Natasha Kai Gets (Another) Tattoooooo

See the now-infamous video of Natasha Kai getting a tat on LA Ink! See what Kai and Rampone do with their time off! I loved it! It was better than Cats! (Anyone?)


Thank you to titanier on Youtube.

SBFC Draft Day Bonanza!!!

Thanks to WPS for letting us follow along on Twitter. It was an exciting day for the draft; so many great players out there for the taking. There was even some intrigue with last-minute trades. But down to the nitty-gritty - what everyone's looking for. So here are the first round picks:

1. Amy Rodriguez (Boston)
2. Megan Rapinoe (Chicago)
3. Christina DiMartino (Bay Area)
4. Yael Averbuch (NJ)
5. Brittany Bock (LA)
6. Kerri Hanks (St. Louis)
7. Allie Long (Washington)

As for our team, SBFC, the draft brought in some young and more experienced players at all positions. The rundown:

4. Yael Averbuch (M, UNC) Occasionally there’s a good reason for hiring your relatives, and this is nepotism at its best. A top college holding/attacking midfielder, NJ native, possesses the ability to fly, related to the SBFC PR Manager. She was called up for the U-23 US WNT camp this month. We were hoping SBFC would take her, so now all we need is Tobin Heath in the 2010 draft. Then WPS domination. In related family news, Julie Foudy was not drafted even though she is the coach’s wife. Doesn’t spousehood count for anything? (Yes, we know…)

11. Meghan Schnur (M, New England Mutiny) Long-term member of the Mutiny with a decent goal-scoring record. US U-17, U-19, U-21, and U-23 WNT experienced - collect them all! Fills in some personnel gaps in the midfield that may be overfilled with subsequent foreign signings.

18. Karen Bardsley (GK, Cal State-Fullerton, Ajax America) First goalie taken in this draft. Given the amount of talented players available at the other positions, it's surprising that the WPS teams haven't spent more pick on GKs. Such an vital position! Though Bardsley was overlooked by Twitterers, she is a solid (presumptive) backup to Cori Alexander. Impressive college career, played for Pali Blues (who hasn't) and has served as a coach at Cal State-Fullerton and University of San Diego.

25. Christie Shaner (D, FC Indiana) A defender taken to bolster an already-strong defense, started in each year at Notre Dame, some U-21 experience, long-term starter at FC Indiana. Beginner assistant coaching at La Salle.

32. Julianne Sitch (D/M, FC Indiana) Former DePaul player who has significant US WNT U-## experience and has spent much time playing for US and Swedish clubs. Can play defense or midfield as needed. Didn't make it back to Chicago as she hoped.

39. Jen Buczkowski (M, Notre Dame) Possession-oriented midfielder with some U-16, 17 and 19 experience at defender. We were hoping that she would get selected, since she has become one of the faces of the combines. She bridges the gap between player and fan.

46. Ouying Zhang (M/F, San Diego Sea Lions!) OK, this pick was a curve-ball, but she can bring extensive experience and solid leadership to the field - much like Scurry for Washington and Chastain for Bay Area. Zhang is a former China national team player, who played in several Olympics and World Cups and served as team captain. One of a few veterans of the WUSA (San Diego Spirit) making a return.

53. Mary Therese McDonnell (D, Illinois) Defender with successful end to college years and taken by the Boston Renegades in 2008. If you're that interested, you can check out her college digs profiled on Sports Illustrated Online! Why? We don't know...

60. Mele French (F, Pali Blues) Another Hawaiian comes to SBFC, this time by way of Oregon and Cali Pali. Are there any players left on the Pali Blues? (Don't feel too bad, they just signed NZ Midfielder Ali Riley...)

67. Fanta Cooper (D, Sky Blue W-League) In-house draft, experienced in the SB system and a known versatile player. We don't think she played for the Pali Blues.

Other notes:

Nikki Krzysik (D, Chicago) was drafted 13th. Member of the U-23 US WNT. One of the best up-and-coming defenders out there and a surprise that she didn’t go earlier. Good on you, Red Stars!

In LA Sol news you can actually take joy in, Katie Larkin was drafted as the 19th pick. Great forward and offensive leader from BYU, WNT experienced, a goal machine for the future. Would rather see her on SBFC…

Briana Scurry (GK, Washington) was drafted 35th. Brandi Chastain (D, Bay Area) threw her hat in the ring in the Fall, and she was picked 45th. No need to explain their accomplishments. I imagine they were taken for their potential leadership and coaching abilities!

Congratulations to Christen Karniski (Washington), who we’ve met. Natural left backs are so hard to find, and she’s one of the good ones. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Here we go down the home stretch...

Opening Game Details!

SBFC opening game details have been announced. Oddly enough, the first game will be played on April 5, 2009 against the LA Sol at the Somerset Patriots' stadium (a baseball stadium) and not at Yurcak Field (a soccer stadium; SBFC home field). The switch was made to accomodate the overwhelming demand for tickets...

The field will be oriented with the endlines in the infield and outfield, so most of the seats will be fairly poor (see picture above for approximate viewing opportunities).

We imagine (hope) this happened due to space constraints, because it's not going to be particularly fan-friendly. We're also praying for that soccer-exclusive stadium in Harrison, NJ to be finished soon...