Chicago Red Stars will be hosting the Sky Blue this upcoming Sunday. This is SBFC's first away game and seeking a win.

This will be a homecoming to Ill. native Julianne Sitch (SBFC), who I am sure will have quite a few fans.

Also, Sky Blue will be bringing the Jersey to Carli Lloyd, a NJ native and member of the national team. She chose to be part of Chicago because she knew Emma hayes, Red Stars Coach.

Nothing has come up about Kai being out so I'm almost positive she will be playing. Forward Tasha Kai collided with FC Gold Pride GK Nicole Barnhart.

I don't know if Christie Rampone is still going to sit out, but i hope she will be healthy enough to play. Center Defender Rampone suffered a pulled hamstring at the SBFC opener on April 5th.

Grab some friends, buy some tickets, WATCH THE GAME
April 19, 2009
Red Stars hosts Sky Blue
6pm ET (kickoff) @ Toyota Park
Bridgeview, Ill.

ALSO ON FOX SOCCER CHANNEL!!
teevo it if you have to

The league has finally released the See Extraordinary commercial of one of my favorite Sky Blue players -- Natasha Kai!

Though Sky Blue FC  had over 6,000 fans at last week's home opener, only 2,735 came out last night to see Sky Blue and California's FC Gold Pride draw 1-1. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was the Easter holiday. Who knows? For those fans that did make it out to TD Bank Ballpark, not only did they see a great game of soccer, but they also witnessed the first goal ever for the Sky Blue franchise by forward Heather O'Reilly.

When the coin toss took place I saw that  the captains bands were wrapped around the arms of FC Gold Pride midfielder Leslie Osborne and Sky Blue star Heather O'Reilly. Immediately I knew Christie Rampone would be sitting out again, nursing the strained hamstring from last week. Keeley Dowling would be taking the place of Rampone in the back.

Both teams came out strong with Sky Blue dominating possession, however each team had various opportunities at the net. It was actually FC Gold Pride's Carrie Dew that scored first, off a corner kick from teammate Tiffany Weimer. (I actually missed this goal because I was updating fans on Twitter. That's one mistake I won't make again!)

The high-level energy remained throughout the course of the game. Sky Blue actually outshot FC Gold Pride 10-2 in the 2nd half. With only 15 minutes left in the game, I began to worry that SBFC wouldn't be able to convert and that they would be starting the season off with an 0-2 record. However, 1 minute later, Heather O'Reilly came to the rescue and scored the equalizer off a pass from Sarah Walsh. With O'Reilly's former youth club, East Brunswick Soccer Club, in the house she certainly was last night's hometown hero. O'Reilly's US Women's National Team coach, Pia Sundhage, was also in the stands scouting and cheering on players from both teams.

Sky Blue's record is now 0-1-1 . They are tied for 5th place in the league (along with Washington Freedom.)

Sky Blue will be on the road for the next few weeks. Catch them on FSC next Sunday, April 19 at 6pmEST as they take on the Chicago Red Stars in Bridgeview, IL.

Today, New Jersey will be facing against Bay Area's FC Gold Pride, a team who won their game last week against Boston, 2-1.

The "oldies", Brandi Chastain and Tiffeny Millbret will be at tonights game playing for the Pride along with other National Team members Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, NY native Tina DiMartino, and Leslie Osbourne. Also, famous for her awesome afro, Eriko Arakawa wil also be at tonights game (she's very hard to miss, especially with the hair). Let's hope it doesn't get frizzy in this rain :)

 Sky Blue captain, Christie Rampone, is still being questioned if she can play tonight. Rampone strained her hamstring at the SBFC Opener last Sunday. Co-captain, Heather O'Reilly, filled in for the captain spot the second half of Sunday's game. I, along with the rest of us, are hoping that Rampone will be playing tonight, but i would rather have her stay and rest for the game in chicago next week.

 Tonight, the benefit game has been CANCELLED for all those who were willing to go. Sorry, but the rain has probably damaged the fields. I just found out too.

Oh, and about the weather, the game is going on rain or shine. The rain is supposed to let up at around 6ish, but i say bring an umbrella or poncho JUST INCASE. Bring a Poncho so everyone can see the game and not look over all the umbrellas. haha. been there, done that.

Here are some pics i look from Sunday. ENJOY!! =] (all pics were taken by me)

Jenni Branam and Karen Bardsley

Karen Bardsley warmin' up

SBFC Soccer Ball Lamp. (i love this =] )

Warm Ups!!!

Christie Rampone is interviewed. Notice how her leg is wrapped up.

peace. mona.

Sky Blue FC

yes i know, this was more than a week ago, but with school and stuff, i havn't really had the chance to edit this video. FINALLY ITS HERE! i'm sry for all the moving signs...i think it's pretty cool, especially the one of easton ave.

 THIS VIDEO INCLUDES:
     -speeches
     -special prize giveaway to first season ticker holder
     -an "only mona" interview with NJ's HAO!!!!

ENJOY

Today, Sky Blue FC hosted its first ever franchise game, however its opponent, the LA Sol, stole the show with a pair of goals from soccer superstar, Marta, to defeat the big blue 2-0, in front of a crowd of 6,053 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ.

This marked not only Sky Blue's first franchise game, but also its first home game. In honor of the match, New Jersey Govenor John Corzine participated in the coin toss, while US Soccer hall-of-famer Julie Foudy indulged the fans with an honorary first kick. Foudy decided to share the spotlight with her daughter, Izzy, by helping her kick the official match ball. I see a future WPS star in that lil' one!

The game started with the LA Sol on the offensive. There were a few opportunities in the first half for Sky Blue to convert, but it was the LA Sol who dominated the attacking third.  The Sol used every inch of the field and made solid, tight passes. Despite Sol advances, it was Sky Blue keeper Jenni Branam and team captain, Christie Rampone, who kept their team in the game. However, in the 27th minute Rampone left the game after injuring her hamstring. It didn't take long for the Sol to take advantage of the hole in the Sky Blue defense. In the 42nd minute, Marta capitalized on a turnover by SBFC, dribbling through multiple defenders into the box and driving the ball low into the right corner of the goal. Three minutes later, Marta was able to put ANOTHER one past a diving Branam thanks to a seamless cross from teammate Han Duan. Duan and Marta are a pair to be reckoned with!

Unfortunately for Sky Blue, the FIFA Player of the Year and her first-half finishes seemed to be too much of an obstacle to overcome.

Sky Blue FC hosts FC Gold Pride next Saturday at 7:45pmEST at TD Bank Ballpark. This will be the last home game in Bridgewater, NJ before the team moves to Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ for the remainder of its home schedule. Get your tickets today!

Check back tomorrow for pictures from Sky Blue's home-opener.

TODAY IS APRIL 5TH!

 All you SBFC fans know waht this means. OPENER!

Well, currently it is sunny and a high of 60F so it's fairly warm out. SBFC will be playing LA Sol which won their opening game against the Freedom last week, 2-0.

SB players may be frightened, but in my heart i know they arr ready

ohkay i have t ogo get ready for the game, so ttyl!

btw i will be posting my video of the innaugural game soon.

Sky Blue FC has announced its official 21-women roster for the 2009 WPS season. Though the league allows a team to carry 22 players (4 developmental players included), SBFC opted for one short of the league max. See below for your new SBFC 2009 team:

22 - Alexander, Cori - GK
5 - Asante, Anita - D
10 - Averbuch, Yael - M
1 - Bardsley, Karen - GK
23 - Branam, Jen - GK
4 - Buczkowski, Jen - M
17 - Dowling, Keeley - D
19 - French, Mele - F
2 - Hammond, Jenny - D
6 - Kai, Natasha - F
13 - Keselica, Noelle - M
14 - McCallum, Collette - M
9 - O'Reilly, Heather - M/F
7 - Parker, Kelly - M
3 - Rampone, Christie - D
11 - Rosana - M
12 - Schnur, Megan - M
18 - Shaner, Christie - D
38 - Sitch, Julianne - D
8 - Walsh, Sarah - F
20 - White, Kasey - M/F

After looking over the roster, I don't see many surprises. Personally, I'm glad to see local player Christie Shaner making the cut. Shaner, the assistant women's soccer coach at Lasalle University (Philadelphia), played previously for FC Indiana and was an All-American at the University of Notre Dame. And in her youth, she even played with yours truly in EPYSA!

Another athlete I am excited to see on the roster is Megan Schnur. Schnur is a former All-American at The University of Connecticut and was a member of the US U-23 team that won the Nordic Cup. I've seen her play a few times at UConn and am thrilled she'll be one of the women anchoring Sky Blue's midfield.

The opening day roster looks to be among the strongest in the league. With our 3 national team players -- Natasha Kai, Heather O'Reilly and Christie Rampone -- and a coach like Ian Sawyers, fans can expect to see amazing soccer, strategy and skill week after week.

With less than 10 days away from Sky Blue's home opener, get your tickets now.

Purchase a 10-Game Flex Plan today and get a special invitation to a Meet & Greet this Sunday with Sky Blue FC players. For more information, please call 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849) or e-mail tickets@skybluesoccer.com.

Today, ACL injuries are one of the most common injuries in High School sports. The tearing rupturing of your ACL doesn't only happen in soccer, but can happen in a range of sports from football, to basketball, to even golf (take Tiger Woods for example). Female athletes even have a higher chance of getting this injury.

 Do you want to prevent that from happening? Do you want to reduce your risk of an ACL injury?

Sky Blue soccer will be hosting 2 upcoming ACL Prevention clinics.

South Brunswick
@ the SB YMCA
326 Culver Rd.
Monmouth Jct., Nj
08852
March 28, 2009
12:30-3:30PM

Readington
@ the Readington Middle school
April 5, 2009
6:30-8:30AM

Personally, i probably won't be attending any of the two clinics due to other stuff (but i am MAD THRiLLED that there will be one SB =]. WOO HOO)

Preregistration for both clinics is a MUST! Register at http://www.skybluesoccer.com/ACLregistration.php .

Didn't buy your opener tickets yet? It's not too late!