Breaking News: Former Red Star Lloyd Signs With WPS Champs Sky Blue FC

Somerset, N.J. (Monday, October 19, 2009) —Defending WPS Champions Sky Blue FC, of Metro New Jersey-New York, announced today the signing of free agent midfielder Carly Lloyd. Lloyd, a seasoned US international who played the league’s inaugural season in Chicago for the Red Stars, expressed her pleasure at being able to play in her home area, while the club’s General Manager, Gerry Marrone, stated his pleasure at building a team that is significantly staffed by “Jersey girls.”

"I have a lot of memories of playing in New Jersey, and it is great to be back home," Lloyd remarked. "I am very excited to be part of Sky Blue FC and to be playing with so many players that I already know so well from being teammates on the national team. When you have that kind of familiarity, it really translates onto the field, and I can't wait to get started!"

Lloyd was born in Delran, New Jersey, and was twice named Parade Magazine All-America (1999, 2000) while attending Delran High School. She then continued her playing career at Rutgers University, where she became the first player in program history to receive First Team All-Big East accolades in each of her four seasons in Piscataway.

The 2004 Big East Midfielder of the Year ended her collegiate career in the school record books as its leader in points (117) and goals (50), leading the Scarlet Knights to a pair of NCAA Tournaments. She capped off her senior year at Rutgers as a finalist for the Soccer Buzz Player of the Year Award and was also a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

Sky Blue FC plays their home matches at Yurcak Stadium on the Rutgers campus. With Lloyd’s addition to the Jersey team, “there are almost enough local players to fill out a starting eleven,” Lloyd commented.

Lloyd will be joining key home-grown Sky Blue players such as last season’s player-coach, Christie Rampone, as well as Heather O’Reilly and Yael Averbuch.

Also, the addition of Lloyd to the Sky Blue club gives New Jersey more players who have national team experience than any other WPS club, according to Gloria Averbuch, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Sky Blue FC.  

Eyebrows were raised last month when it was announced that Lloyd would become a free agent and would not return to the Chicago squad. She made 14 starts for the Red Stars (of 20 league matches played) and scored a pair of goals with an assist.

During the press conference today, Lloyd acknowledged that it had been her decision to become a free agent, and that she had felt out of synch in Chicago. She cited the absence of her long-time personal trainer, as well as being too far from home and all that is familiar to her, as one of the reasons she didn’t play up to her potential in WPS last year.  

During Lloyd’s prepared statements and answers to questions at the press conference, it was obvious that what she did not say about her experience in Chicago was more meaningful than her carefully worded responses to questions from numerous reporters about how she felt in Chicago, whether she was comfortable there, reasons why she might have not wanted to remain there, etc.  Her most telling statement was, “I think it is important not to focus on the past and to concentrate on the future.”   

Listening to general manager Marrone, as well as Sky Blue’s new head coach, Pauliina Miettinen, on the call from home in Finland, it was clear that the club’s front office believes the Lloyd signing is a major acquisition. Although Lloyd did not make the contribution that was expected of her in Chicago, her new club’s management is confident she will be much more of a factor for Sky Blue, citing her record of impactful play on the US Women’s National Team.

On the international level, Lloyd was a member of four Nordic Cup championship teams with the U.S. U21 National Team from 2002-05, and she first trained with the full national team in its 2004 Olympic Residency Camp. She earned her first two caps in 2005 and then made the first two starts of her national team career at the 2006 Algarve Cup. The following year, Lloyd earned MVP honors at the 2007 Algarve Cup and also played in her first FIFA World Cup.

Lloyd continued to advance her game with the national team in 2008 and was named the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. She started all 35 matches in the midfield for the U.S. National Team, scoring nine goals while adding nine assists. She also played all 600 minutes in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and tallied the game-winning goal in extra time of the championship final with Brazil, helping to bring the United States the Olympic Gold Medal.

"We are thrilled to have Carli play for Sky Blue FC," Marrone said. "She is one of the tremendous talents developed in our state, and a hero among all soccer fans. She will bring great soccer ability to the team and play on the field where she excelled as a collegian. We all welcome Carli back to New Jersey. Who says you can't go home again?!"

"Carli Lloyd is an exciting addition to our team," Miettinen added. "Carli will be strengthening our midfield with her tremendous work ethic. She is a person willing to do extra on the field and stay after practice. That is the kind of person we want on this team. I am also excited for Carli because she is back playing in front of her friends and family."

Lloyd, who was named to the national team roster for its upcoming October 29th match with Germany, will be leaving for Germany to join her national teammates tomorrow.