Sky Blue FC signs Brazilian Midfielder Thaisa Moreno

Brazilian Midfielder Thaisa Moreno has signed with Sky Blue FC, Pending receipt of her visa.  Moreno is the fifth national team player with Sky Blue – not including Christie Pearce, who steeped away towards the end of last season. Kailen Sheridan (Canada), Raquel Rodriquez (Costa Rica), Kelly O’Hara (United States) and Sam Kerr (Australia) all play for their national teams.

International  Resume

The 28 year old has 49 caps for Brazil and made her first World Cup appearance in 2015 in Canada, and her first Olympic appearance in her home country in 2016.

Professionally, she in Brazil for Foz Cataratas (2011),  where she won the Campeonato Paulista with Ferroviária and the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino with Centro Olímpico in 2013.

Then, she joined  Tyresö FF in January 2014 and competed with Brazilian legend Marta and U.S. Women’s National Team members Whitney Engen, Meghan Klingenberg and Christen Press.  In 2017, Thaisa played for Grindavík in Iceland’s top-tier women’s soccer league Úrvalsdeild kvennaspent.

A look at the Midfield

With the addition of Thaisa, one wonders if that will free up Rodriguez to play higher up.  Nikki Stanton, Sarah Killion, Taylor Lytle and Daphne Corboz are among the midfield core.  Killion remains the veteran presence in the middle. She and Lytle bring an unassuming style of play, but nevertheless offer stability to their team.

While Stanton and Rodriguez are both quick and physical, Raque’s defensive assignments in the midfield may have taken a bit of the bite out of her offensive capabilities. Corboz showed her ability to facilitate and connect with her attackers.  She and Lytle lead the team with five assists last season. Both cracked the top ten assists leaders in the league, coming in seventh and ninth, respectively.

Impact on SBFC

“Thaisa is a distinguished international with outstanding ability on both sides of the ball,” head coach Denise Reddy said in the team press release. “Her experience and expertise as a midfield motor will be a huge addition to our roster.”

“Needless to say, we are incredibly excited to have Thaisa coming to New Jersey,” added Tony Novo, Sky Blue FC President & General Manager. “She is an internationally accomplished player who will provide a huge boost as our roster continues to take shape for the 2018 season. Her leadership and style of play will be a tremendous addition to our team.”

An experienced, skilled and fit midfielder will certainly improve the Sky Blue midfield. Overall, a bit more quickness and size would benefit the New Jersey squad.