Midfielder Yael Averbuch helped lead Sky Blue FC to the championship of Women’s Professional Soccer in the league’s first season. Averbuch, a Montclair, N.J., product by way of the University of North Carolina, will be filing to the Goal blog as the defending champions prepare for the 2010 season.

Dream Realized, Now It's Time to Wake Up - 4/2/10

I can distinctly remember going to watch the U.S. women’s national team train in preparation for the opening game of the 1999 Women’s World Cup.

I was only 12, but I have a vivid image of driving to the Pingry School field with my parents and sister and watching the practice. We stood behind the goal, close enough to clearly see the players and what they were doing, but still far enough so that we were unnoticed and not interfering. [more]

With Sky Blue FC in Florida - 3/21/10

Hello from Sky Blue F.C. preseason training in Tallahassee, Fla!

Pauliina [Coach Pauliina Miettinen] asked for us all to take one of our favorite quotes to be part of our personal player cards this season. I have journals full of quotes that I like, but I chose a shorter one that gets straight to the point: “Do what you love. Love what you do.” It seems so obvious, but I find that few people actually embody this. In January, a few Sky Blue F.C. players were featured on a panel at the N.J. Youth Soccer Expo. Gerry Marrone (the team’s general manager), in his introductory talk said, “How many of you can genuinely say that you wholeheartedly love your job?” Out of my peripheral vision, I saw a hand immediately shoot up. It was Pauliina.[more]

Also make sure to check out Yael's earlier blog posts from the 2010 Algarve Cup in Portugal!

Reflecting on a U.S. Win in Portugal - 3/1/10

On Monday, we beat Sweden, 2-0, thanks to two beautiful second half goals from [Lauren] Cheney. I started and played the first half, which looked nowhere near as good as the second. It was a tough first 45, and there are things that I know I could have done better. Playing at this level exposes a new set of mental challenges, which is part of what I’m adjusting to, as well as the level of play. It’s so easy to get swept up in the highs and lows of the experience: the thrill of starting, but then a slightly disappointing performance … a great practice, then a not-so-good one … positive feedback from the coaches, then some criticism/critique.[more]

At Algarve Cup, a Win and More Chocolates - 2/27/10

Yes! I just got back to my room and it’s been cleaned, which means one important thing — chocolates! Every day after housekeeping comes, the best gift is left on our nightstand. Lori [Lindsey] and I look forward to the caramel-filled chocolates probably a lot more than we should. Oh, the simple things that make us so happy. [more]

At the Algarve Cup, It’s All About the Jersey - 2/24/10

ALBUFEIRA, Portugal — I just returned to my room from an evening ocean adventure with Heather O’Reilly (a k a Hao). After our 2-0 win over Iceland to open the Algarve Cup, we returned to the hotel and went in the pool to help regenerate our muscles. [more]

In Europe. Lying in Bed. Soccer on TV. A Game in the Mud. Life Is Good. - 2/22/10

After landing in Lisbon on Saturday morning, we took a three-hour bus ride to the hotel. I remember about 15 minutes of the ride before it was impossible to keep my eyes open any longer. It was hard to wake up myself enough to even get off the bus and venture into the hotel lobby, but as I walked through the doors of the resort/spa where we’re staying, I was already amazed. It was not so much the resort that I was in awe of — although it is very nice — but the absolutely beautiful view of the ocean. [more]

Wheels Down in Portugal - 2/20/10

Hello from Albufeira, Portugal!

After landing in Lisbon on Saturday morning, we took a three-hour bus ride to the hotel. I remember about 15 minutes of the ride before it was impossible to keep my eyes open any longer. It was hard to wake up myself enough to even get off the bus and venture into the hotel lobby, but as I walked through the doors of the resort/spa where we’re staying, I was already amazed. It was not so much the resort that I was in awe of — although it is very nice — but the absolutely beautiful view of the ocean. [more]

My Bags Are Packed for Portugal - 2/19/10

I’m almost done packing and ready to head off to Portugal!

For me, packing involves arranging my two outfits, cleats and toiletries into the smallest bag possible. I like to not have to check a bag, and I think traveling is a lot more enjoyable when I’m not lugging around a ton of stuff. Also, I’m always striving to pack the lightest (again, I’m really not competitive at all!). Unfortunately, Casey Nogueira has outdone me on the last few trips, taking only a backpack. I’m not prepared to travel that sparsely, but I’m pretty proud of my one small bag. [more]

Pia’s Valuable Message and Uncommon Delivery - 2/16/10

As I was just foam rolling and stretching in my living room at home in New Jersey, the song “You Can Get It if You Really Want,” by Jimmy Cliff, came up on iTunes. I downloaded it on the second day of the past national team training camp for a specific reason. [more]

Meeting the Treadmill Challenge - 2/10/10

On Tuesday I had my first experience with a treadmill. In preparation for Portugal, our new conditioning coach, Dawn Scott, sent us a training program. The first day’s task was to complete what is called the “progressive treadmill test.” Basically, you start at a run (7.2 miles per hour) and then increase the speed (by 0.6) every 30 seconds. If you get to the fastest speed on the treadmill, then you start increasing the incline every 30 seconds. You run until you can’t run anymore. Pretty intense. Now keep in mind, I literally have never run on a treadmill and don’t even have a regular membership to a gym. [more]

I’m Going to Portugal With U.S. Women’s National Team - 2/9/10

I remember being in preseason with Sky Blue F.C. one year ago when the national team players came back from the Algarve Cup. Since I was 9 it has been my dream to play for the national team, but last March it didn’t seem to be close on my horizon, and I was nervous when my new teammates flew in from Portugal to join us. Heather O’Reilly, Natasha Kai, Christie Rampone and Kacey White seemed to be coming from another world, another level of fútbol (I prefer “fútbol” over soccer) that I was not privy to. [more]