Sky Blue FC announces new head coach, allocated USWNT players

Sky Blue FC President & General Manager Tony Novo and newly promoted head coach Christy Holly. (Sky Blue FC)

Yesterday was a big day for Sky Blue FC, the National Women’s Soccer League team from New Jersey. Shortly after receiving it’s player allocation from the U.S. Women’s National Team, Sky Blue FC announced their new head coach.

Christie Rampone and Kelley O’Hara will be returning to the team for the fourth season with the team.

Rampone has spent each of the previous three seasons with Sky Blue FC since the inaugural year of the NWSL in 2013. She also spent two additional seasons with the New Jersey club prior to that and spearheaded a run to the 2009 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) championship. Rampone, a USWNT captain from 2008-2016, is known for her defense, but has recorded two goals and two assists on the offensive end for Sky Blue FC.

O’Hara joined the club when the NWSL was formed in 2013. She recorded her first ever international goal this past summer in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals against Germany. O’Hara has tallied 10 goals and 13 assists in 45 matches as a member of Sky Blue FC.

Wednesday afternoon, Sky Blue FC held a media conference call to announce Christy Holly as the club’s new head coach. Holly spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach in New Jersey.

Holly has 16 years of coaching experience, spanning various levels in the United States and Ireland.

“We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Christy Holly to head coach of Sky Blue FC,” stated team co-owner Steven Temares. “Christy’s character, leadership and experience with our team and the league, together with his inter-personal skills and training capabilities, make him the right coach for Sky Blue FC.”

Holly is excited to have Rampone and O’Hara once again on the roster and expects them to play major roles.

“We are delighted to have Christie and Kelley back for the 2016 season,” said Holly. “Aside from their tremendous ability, they also provide us with two exceptional characters who bring a priceless level of experience and leadership, both on and off the field. Both players have been instrumental in the growth of Sky Blue FC in recent years, and we are looking to build upon that in 2016.”

In addition to his head coaching responsibilities, Holly will also assume player personnel responsibilities and will serve as the chief league liaison for the club when the 2016 NWSL Draft takes place this Friday in Baltimore.

“I am excited to lead this exceptional group of players, on and off the field,” Holly remarked. “Through my years with Sky Blue FC, I have come to know our current players and the amazing talent and heart they possess. As a team, we will be looking to build on this tremendous foundation and supplement it with new talent to help us reach the next level. “

Soccer continues to grow in the United States and New Jersey is fertile ground for exceptional talent in the sport. It’s becoming a major sport in our area due to the success of the United States Women’s National Team, the Rutgers University Women’s Soccer Team which advanced all the way to the semi-finals in the National Tournament, as well as Sky Blue FC.

Holly had a message for all of the club’s fans and area soccer fans in general.

“As a team, we know we can, and will, provide the level of play and success that our fans yearn for and deserve,” Holly continued. “I could not ask for a better group of players, and I know all who watch Sky Blue FC will always leave impressed with our style of play and inspired by our hard work and commitment. That is my promise, and that is what I will bring as coach to our players, our amazing fans and the entire Sky Blue FC family.”