Sky Blue FC announces official 2018 season roster

Sky Blue FC announced on Monday their official roster for the 2018 season.

Although the NWSL allows 20 players to a roster, head coach Denise Reddy has named 22 players to her roster for Sky Blue. Forwards Adrianna Leon and Savannah McCaskill, both of whom were acquired via the dispersal draft earlier this year, don’t count against roster limit or salary cap, per league rules.

Returning in net this season for Sky Blue are Canada federation player Kailen Sheridan and Caroline Casey. Sheridan is returning for her second year with Sky Blue, while Casey will be starting her third season with the club. Sky Blue also retains the rights of U.S. U-23 women’s national team and former Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who is currently playing in France with Montpellier Hérault.

Mandy Freeman, Kayla Mills, Domi Richardson, and Erica Skroski all return on defense for Sky Blue this year. Christina Gibbons and Rebekah Stott, both acquired via trades this offseason, and Amandine Pierre-Louis, taken with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft, round out the Sky Blue defense.

Outside back Erin Simon, returning for her third year with the New Jersey-based squad, has been put on the 45-Day Disabled List ahead of the regular season and, therefore, does not count against the roster limit. Simon was experiencing discomfort in her left foot, which she had surgery on last season. Amanda Frisbie, also acquired in the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft (and therefore, like Leon and McCaskill, won’t count against roster when she joins the team) is currently out of market.

In midfield, Sky Blue has two-time FIFA Player of the Year and New Jersey native Carli Lloyd, also acquired via trade during the offseason. Joining Lloyd in the midfield are Sarah Killion, Thaisa Moreno, Raquel Rodriguez, and Madison Tiernan. Daphne Corboz will also be returning to Sky Blue’s midfield once she returns from being on loan with FC Fleury 91 in France.

The only forward returning from past seasons is McKenzie Meehan. Joining her up top are Leon and McCaskill, as well as Janine Beckie, Shea Groom, Jen Hoy, and Katie Johnson, all of whom were acquired via offseason trades. The No. 4 overall draft pick, Michaela Abam, also made the final cut at forward for Sky Blue.

Cassidy Benintente, Mary Fiebernitz, Monica Flores, and Kelly Conheeney were the players in preseason camp with Sky Blue who didn’t make the cut. Benintente signed with Sky Blue partway through the last season, while Conheeney was rostered with Sky Blue in 2016.

Also not included on the 22-player roster are 2018 draft picks Imani Dorsey and Kiana Palacios, both of whose rights Sky Blue retains. Dorsey is currently finishing her college education at Duke University and should join the team following her graduation.

2018 SKY BLUE FC REGULAR SEASON ROSTER (22 of 20 spots filled)

GOALKEEPERS (2): Caroline Casey, Kailen Sheridan (FED-CAN)
DEFENDERS (8): Mandy Freeman, Amanda Frisbie (PEN), Christina Gibbons, Kayla Mills, Amandine Pierre-Louis (INTL-CAN), Domi Richardson, Erin Simon (D45), Erica Skroski, Rebekah Stott (INTL-NZL)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Daphne Corboz (LOA), Sarah Killion, Carli Lloyd (FED-USA), Raquel Rodriguez (INTL-CRC), Thaisa Moreno (INTL-BRA), Madison Tiernan
FORWARDS (8): Michaela Abam, Janine Beckie (FED-CAN), Shea Groom, Jen Hoy, Katie Johnson, Adriana Leon (FED-CAN, DD), Savannah McCaskill (DD), McKenzie Meehan

Federation Players (FED): 4
International Roster Spots Filled (INTL): 4

Key:

ACTIVE ROSTER:

FED - Federation Player
INTL – International Roster Spot

ROSTERED PLAYERS NOT COUNTED AGAINST ACTIVE LIMIT:

D45 (45-Day Disabled List): Player on the 45-Day disabled list
LOA (Loan): Player is loaned out to another club
PEN (Pending): Player will join club on a future date
DD (Dispersal Draft): Contracted players acquired via the Dispersal Draft