The Wait Is Over

A Legend Walks Away

A 9am press conference has been called at the Sky Blue FC training facility.

Saskia Webber, SBFC general manager: Thank you for braving the traffic and the early hour to be here for today's announcement. I turn the microphone over to head coach Christie Pearce.

Christie Pearce: Thank you, Saskia. After a lot of thought and guidance from people I consider friends, role models, and colleagues, as well as my daughters, I have decided to retire as head coach of Sky Blue FC, effective immediately. For the past several months, I have been fighting end-stage cervical cancer. After my near-collapse at our last home match and subsequent hospital stay, I came to realize that forcing myself to get to some pre-determined date was only going to rob Rylie and Reece of the ability to create lasting memories with me before I would become too sick and weak to do so. The club is in good hands with Jill stepping into the head coaching position and Katherine Reynolds offering assistance as needed. I have been with Sky Blue since its founding except for one year with magicJack, and I will always hold this club close to my heart. Thank you.

Saskia: We will take a limited number of questions.

Graham Hays, ESPNW: Saskia, how long do you expect the club to take in filling Christie's void on the staff?

Saskia: We will take as long as necessary to find the right person to come to Sky Blue to work alongside Jill for the rest of the season.

Jack Bell, New York Times: Christie, why now as opposed to during the upcoming international break?

Christie: The plan was to step down following this week, but my health has been in such decline that hanging onto for another week even though I'd be able to do very little would not be in club's best interest.

Heather Mitts, FOX Sports: Is there any truth to the rumor that Carli Lloyd will be coming to Sky Blue during the international break to take over as head coach?

Saskia: We have yet to be in contact with Carli or any other candidate regarding the opening at the club, which is for an assistant as Jill Loyden will be the head coach for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Dalen Cuff, Lifetime Sports: Christie, all of us in the soccer community wish you the very best in fighting your illness. What's up in the coming days for you?

Christie: Once school lets out, the girls and I are going to go on a road trip across the country by way of Amtrak, stopping at some historical sites and making contact with a fair number of my friends from the National Team, from my professional stops, and from the coaching ranks.

Christie and Saskia leave the media room and head to their office, escaping the feeding frenzy.

***

Following a conversation with North Carolina Courage head coach and general manager Paul Riley, Washington Spirit GM Lori Lindsey drops in on Becky Sauerbrunn to discuss the offer made by the Englishman.

Lori: Riley is up to his old tricks again, trying to purge his roster of national teamers before he loses them to the World Cup and Olympics.

Becky: Who's he offering up?

Lori: Sabrina D'Angelo. Said he'll take Wys and Ship in exchange.

Becky: That's a pretty good offer for our side. It opens up a roster spot for us to perhaps find another defender to better pair with Shelina in the middle.

Lori: I think we should talk to Kelsey first, to see if there would be any reason we shouldn't pursue this trade.

Becky: Go ahead.