Defending Women’s Professional Soccer champion Sky Blue FC announces today the staff that head coach Pauliina Miettinen will take into its 2010 title defense. Returning to the bench next season will be assistant coach Mike Lyons, with Finnish U-19 National Team head coach Anne Parnila and goalkeeper coach Rick Stainton joining the staff.
“I am excited about the fact that we have our staff together,” Miettinen commented. “Everybody in this team is dedicated, hard working and committed to excellence. We also have a great mix of experience and knowledge, which is beneficial to the players and the game itself. Now we have everything in place so we can concentrate on organizing the best people to play for Sky Blue FC and continue the success the club has had.”
Lyons returns to the bench after assisting Christie Rampone, a player he began coaching at the youth level, in bringing the inaugural WPS Championship presented by MedImmune to Sky Blue FC in 2009. He had an extensive coaching history prior to joining the staff, including a stop with the men’s soccer program at the University of Notre Dame. He has also manned the sidelines for the New Jersey Girl’s Olympic Development Program and led Wall Township (NJ) High School to four state championships.
“Going into next year, we look to build upon what was created at the end of this past season,” Lyons remarked. “Our players truly enjoy playing with one another, and they enjoy playing at a high level. Overall, that creates a great environment for soccer.”
A key person that aided Lyons in the creation of that environment was Rampone, who looks to return to the field solely as a player about midway through next season following the birth of her second child.
"This is a staff with incredible experience, both nationally and internationally,” Sky Blue FC General Manager Gerry Marrone stated about the coaching staff. “In addition, Sky Blue FC is proud to be only the second team in the nine-team Women's Professional Soccer league with both female head and assistant coaches. What's more, the team is the only one that can boast a WPS Championship coach in Mike Lyons. It's a great start for the 2010 season!”
Read more HERE
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment