NWSL – Sky Blue FC 2016 Season in Review – Trying to resolve issues
By Steve Fowler
Most preseason predictions had Sky Blue FC in the “middle of the table”. This was always a team of defense first, score later mentality. It is a true form of soccer, but unfortunately not something that excites the fans. The team had some issues that occurred prior to the season that put uncertainty in their season.
First issue – who will replace Jim Gabarra as their new head coach? During the 2015 off-season he took over coaching duties for the Washington Spirit to be a little closer to his home.
Answer – Christy Holly an assistant head coach. After several months of searching, they promoted him. Overall, at this point, it is a fair determination that Holly is an equally capable coach as Gabarra as far as the results. They did not go the playoffs, but were not eliminated until late in the season.
Second issue- who is their starting goalkeeper? Is it Caroline Stanley or Caroline Casey? With Brittany Cameron no longer with the team, they needed a new goalkeeper.
Answer- both. Stanley started 11 games and Casey started 10. Stanley hurt her shoulder about July 8th, which necessitated goalkeeper coach Jillian Loyden to be cast as the team’s backup goalie for a couple of months behind Casey. Neither goalie made embarrassing mistakes, so picking a true starter must have been difficult for the coach.
Third issue – the defense was gutted after 2015 leaving essentially Christy Rampone and Kelly O’Hara. Who else will play the backline?
Answer- rookies . Erin Simon and Erica Skroski filled in admirably as the new fullbacks on the team. Despite some early games where the defense had some poor moments, overall the defense was a strength for this team.
In June, Sky Blue FC eventually figured out that Kelly O’Hara is not best suited for fullback, and moved her to wing midfielder. Second year player Kristin Grubka became Rampone’s center back partner. Rampone has a knack of converting unheralded players into a fine defensive line that consistently has mastered the “offside trap”. And at age 41, she shows that she is still one of the best defenders of all time.
Fourth issue – with forward Sam Kerr injured before the season, how were they going to score goals?
Answer- Leah Galton, Tasha Kai, Maya Hayes, and yes, later Sam Kerr.
- Leah Galton is from England who graduated from Hofstra in late May. She would score 3 goals over the course of the season.
- In February before the season, the team signed Natasha Kai who had not played soccer since 2011, and had played rugby until this year. Despite showing a little “rust” early on, she would score 4 goals.
- Maya Hayes has been with the team since 2014. However, Hayes had not jelled with the team until this year, where she seems more comfortable out on the pitch. She scored 3 goals.
- Sam Kerr returned on June 19 , and would score 5 goals after her return. She would also miss time due to the Rio Olympics.
Fifth issue – what about the midfield?
Katy Freels, who was an underrated midfielder, retired prior to the season. The void was filled with a combination of Raqui Rodriguez, Sarah Killion, and Taylor Lytle. The midfield does not receive much recognition as they do not score a lot of goals. ,But they maintain that balance of setting up scoring plays for the forwards while not exposing the defense.
The final season results for Sky Blue FC were 26 points in 20 games. They won 7 games, lost 8, and tied 5 times. They scored 24 goals, surrendered 30 goals, for a net goal differential of minus 6.
The team was able to overcome the issues that were present at the beginning at the season. With the team now figuring out its identity, and assuming no drastic changes for the 2017 season, this team will threaten to be in next year’s playoffs.
The first video (vs Kansas City) shows that the Sky Blue fans, known as “Cloud 9” are among the classiest fans in the world. If you listen carefully to the background noise after the 12:00 minute mark of the game, you can hear the crowd chant “Lau-ren Hol-i-day”.
Number 12 was her number prior to retirement, hence the timing for the chant. The news had broken before the game that Holiday was pregnant and battling brain cancer. According to reports on social media, the credit for starting the chant goes to “Cloud 9”.
Nobody expected them to win the first game of the season against the mighty Seattle Reign.
And finally, a well fought match against their chief rival, the Washington Spirit.
Other NWSL season reviews:
Stay tuned to MLS Multiplex as we cover the NWSL offseason and all the comings and goings during the winter months.