The 2017 Sky Blue FC season was the team's eighth season as a professional women's soccer team. Sky Blue FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.[2]
Review
After a 7th-place finish in 2016, Sky Blue FC finished the 2017 season in 6th place, five points out of playoff contention. Sam Kerr scored a league-record 17 goals, won the league's Golden Boot award, and was named MVP, the first time a player on a non-playoff team had won the award.[3]
Head coach Christy Holly resigned mid-season on August 16, and was replaced by four assistant coaches, Jill Loyden, Dave Hodgson, Paul Greig, and Maria Dorris.[4] A full-time replacement for Holly was not announced until November 15, 2017, when Sky Blue FC hired Washington Spirit assistant coach and former Jersey Sky Blue head coach Denise Reddy.[5]
Soon after Holly's resignation, center back and team captain Christie Rampone announced that she would miss the rest of the season due to an accumulation of injuries.[3]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,521 Referee: Karen Abt Assistant referees: Jeremy Weed, Cephas Quartson Fourth official: Levi Rippy Man of the Match: Christie Pearce
Stadium: Jordan Field Attendance: 2,329 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic Assistant referees: Benjamin Wooten, Tom Felice Fourth official: Michael Dee Man of the Match: Sarah Killion
Stadium: Yurcak Field Attendance: 2,562 Referee: Kevin Broadley Assistant referees: Art Arustamyan, Gjovalin Bori Fourth official: Joe Zawistowski Man of the Match: Raquel Rodriguez
Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex Attendance: 3,190 Referee: Danielle Chesky Assistant referees: Adrienne McDonald, Brooke Mayo Fourth official: Ali Saheli Man of the Match: Kelley O'Hara
Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 5,369 Referee: Michael Radchuk Assistant referees: Francisco Bermudez, Jeremy Kieso Fourth official: Mike Arrington Man of the Match: Samantha Kerr
Stadium: Yurcak Field Attendance: 2,476 Referee: Christina Unkel Assistant referees: Tom Felice, Maggie Short Fourth official: Luis Arroyo Man of the Match: Christie Pearce
Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium Attendance: 2,383 Referee: Kevin Broadley Assistant referees: Benjamin Wooten, Gregory Brigman Fourth official: Javier Rodriguez Man of the Match: Kailen Sheridan
Stadium: Yurcak Field Attendance: 3,451 Referee: Robi Hullner Assistant referees: John Krill, Ben Pilgrim Fourth official: Amber O’Connor Man of the Match: Maya Hayes
Stadium: Yurcak Field Attendance: 2,418 Referee: Marco Vega Assistant referees: Amanda Ross, Tom Felice Fourth official: Lorant Varga Man of the Match: Madison Tiernan