After an impressive second half against St. John’s University this past weekend, Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced on Monday its first roster cuts of the 2015 preseason. The announcement comes as the team prepares for its second match of the preseason this Saturday, where it will host the University of North Carolina at Mercer County College for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.
“In the preseason, there are going to be some dings and some soreness, but we have a lot to focus on this week,” said Jim Gabarra, Sky Blue FC Technical Director & Head Coach. “Looking at our preseason schedule, we have a normal week this week where we can work towards building and implementing our game plan for UNC. The following week, we play two games in one week, so there will not be not be as many training opportunities. The first week of April, we get back into our normal rhythm. Therefore, we have a lot to accomplish this week, but we are confident that we will get it done.”
On the heels of its 3-0 win on Saturday in its preseason debut, Sky Blue FC will welcome Danish National Team striker Nadia Nadim into camp this week. Nadim is coming off a six-game campaign in 2014 that saw her register seven goals and three assists. Unlike other key players, Nadim will not miss any time due to the World Cup and one can only imagine the damage Nadim can inflict playing a full season. Combined with the play making abilities displayed by both Katy Freels and Sarah Killion on Saturday, Sky Blue FC has the potential to launch one of the better attacks in the league.
More from Playing for 90
- Barcelona kick off Champions League against Royal Antwerp
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
One other significant move is with defender Rachel Breton, who headed to Europe on Sunday to join the Toppserien League club Amazon Grimstad FK in Norway. Breton will remain with the team until the beginning of May and would be eligible to return to Sky Blue FC ahead of its May 9th home match with Seattle Reign FC. The Toppserien League is the top level Norwegian league.
Trialist departures from preseason camp include goalkeepers Shannon O’Brien and Genevieve Richard, defender Kim Elmore, midfielder Sheree Dillard and forwards Shelbee Stilwell, Amber Stobbs and Shu Tseng, none of whom played any significant minutes against St. John’s.
As mentioned above, Sky Blue FC continues its 2015 Preview Series Presented by Meridian Health in a pairing with the University of North Carolina this Saturday, March 21st, where the two sides will play a 3:00 p.m. game at Mercer Community College.
Sky Blue FC will open the NWSL regular season on the road when it travels to FC Kansas City on Sunday, April 12th. The team will play its home opener at Yurcak Field (Rutgers, Piscataway) on Saturday, April 18th, at 7:00 p.m.
Skyscraper Blues
GOALKEEPERS:
Aubrey Bledsoe (Wake Forest), Brittany Cameron (San Diego)
DEFENDERS:
Lindsi Cutshall (Brigham Young), Caitlin Foord (Australia) –
NYR
, Kristin Grubka (Florida State), Hayley Haagsma (Texas Tech), Cami Levin (Stanford) –
NYR
, Meg Morris (North Carolina), Kelley O’Hara (Stanford) –
NYR
, Shade Pratt (Maryland), Christie Rampone (Monmouth) –
NYR
MIDFIELDERS:
Katy Freels (Auburn), Shawna Gordon (Cal State Long Beach), Sarah Killion (UCLA), Lo’eau LaBonta (Stanford), Taylor Lytle (Texas Tech), Nikki Stanton (Fairfield)
FORWARDS:
Jonelle Filigno (Rutgers) –
NYR,
Maya Hayes (Penn State), Samantha Kerr (Australia) –
NYR
, Nadia Nadim (Denmark), Monica Ocampo (Mexico) –
NYR
NYR – Not Yet Reported to camp
PLAYERS ON TRIAL (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
GOALKEEPERS: None
DEFENDERS: None
MIDFIELDERS: Theresa Diederich (Alabama), Maruschka Waldus (Alabama)
FORWARDS: Maryam Huseini (La Salle), Stef Scholz (Rutgers), Gibby Wagner (Boston College)
follow me on twitter#scott8871