And what a story it was...
The underdog that beat everyone...
The first Sky Blue game for the WPS was on April 5th at TD Bank Ballpark against the LA Sol, where a strong Sol team with Marta in the front beat Sky Blue FC with two goals by the Soccer star Marta, in addition Christie Rampone left the game early with a strained hamstring.
Who could have predicted that these two teams would meet over four months later in Los Angeles with the tired team Sky Blue FC beating the well rested, dominant all season Sol team.
Between many ups and downs all season long, I think most people didn't expect this from the New Jersey team, a team that was 1- 4 - 2 in their first 7 games of the season.
The head coach Ian Sawyers was gone just after 6 games, and Kelly Lindsey took over the team after the second loss against the LA Sol.
But there was a big improvement on the team after Lindsey took over, and the Sky Blue went
5- 4 - 3 under her management, a record that made the playoffs a possibility.
On July 29th another blow for the team as Lindsey announced her resignation, with only 2 games left in the regular season, and at the time the playoffs were within reach.
It was then announced the right woman for the job, Superwoman, team capitain, player and now coach Christie Rampone.
With a win and a loss, and help from the Sol team, the Sky Blue were on their way to the first ever WPS postseason.
Their first opponent would be the Washington Freedom in Maryland, after a scoreless tie in the first half, Natasha Kai and Francielle would come off the bench and score for Sky Blue, they would go on to win for a score of 2 - 1 shocking the home crowd.
Next would be the St. Louis Athletica in St. Louis, and once again the home team was favorite after a beating the New Jersey team in all 3 games they had played this year.
After just a few minutes anyone watching knew things would be different this time, the goal keeper Hope Solo made some unbelievable saves, and it was only a matter of time until Sky Blue would score.
That goal came in the 30th minute by Keeley Dowling her first of the season.
Once again Sky Blue had shocked the home crowd, but could they have enough energy for one more?
This time against the number one team?
In Los Angeles?
Could they stop the unstoppable Marta?
YOU BET!!
With a goal on the 64th minute by Heather O'Reilly, the NJ team had to play a had game with a fully rested LA team, and an always dangerous Marta.
In the end it was all worth it, a Cinderella story that came true to a team who was really a T-E-A-M in facing all obstacles and coming out as the true Champion, Sky Who? SKY BLUE!
