Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that the team has signed defender Cassidy Benintente to its active roster as a national team replacement player. The New Jersey native will be available on Friday when Sky Blue FC hosts the Washington Spirit at Yurcak Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

“Cassidy is a versatile player who is capable of contributing in a variety of ways,” said Denise Reddy, Sky Blue FC head coach. “She understands the way that we want to play as a team, and she will be a welcome addition to our roster this weekend.”

Benintente, 23, is currently in her second professional season after playing with Sky Blue FC during the 2017 NWSL campaign. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she competed alongside Sky Blue FC defender Erica Skroski and forward Madison Tiernan. The trio were members of a Scarlet Knights side that reached the NCAA College Cup Final Four in 2015, the most successful season in program history. Before she arrived on campus in Piscataway, Benintente played for Sky Blue FC academy partner PDA and also won a pair of Region I championships while representing New Jersey ODP.

The news comes today with Sky Blue FC having multiple players on international duty. Midfielder Carli Lloyd and forward Savannah McCaskill are with the U.S. Women’s National Team, forwards Janine Beckie and Adriana Leon are with Canada, midfielder Thaisa is with Brazil and defender Rebekah Stott is with New Zealand.

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