Christie Pearce Out For The Remainder Of The 2017 Season

Sky Blue FC announced today that defender Christie Pearce will miss the remainder of the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season due to accumulative injuries.

“I’ve always had a really good awareness of my body and the ability to recover,” Pearce said in a team 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.”

During the 2017 campaign, Pearce started 16 games in 16 appearances, registering 1440 minutes while anchoring the Sky Blue FC defense.

"Something I must do is personally thank all of the fans,” Pearce said. “I feel so privileged to have their unwavering support, and they have always stood by me through thick and thin. I am also very confident that the team will push on this season in my absence. Erica and Mandy are now back to full fitness, and they will make significant contributions to the team's success the rest of the way."

The Point Pleasant, New Jersey native has played with Sky Blue FC and been captain of the team since the NWSL was founded in 2013. The former U.S. Women’s National Team captain earned 311 caps for her country, which is ranked second in the history of international soccer (men or women). During her USWNT tenure, Pearce won two FIFA Women’s World Cups, three Olympic Gold Medals and one Olympic Silver Medal.

The announcement comes just two days after Christy Holly announced he was stepping down as head coach of the club. Sky Blue FC is winless in its past four games and will look to bounce back on Saturday when the New Jersey side hosts Seattle Reign FC at Yurcak Field for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.