Midge Purce has suited up for the U.S. women’s national team. (Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
HOWELL, N.J. – Forward Margaret “Midge” Purce and Sky Blue FC agreed to a one-year contract with a one-year option for the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League season.
As per team and league policies, further details were not disclosed.
“I feel excited and fortunate to play for Sky Blue” Purce said. “Alyse LaHue [general manager] has already taken this club to an excellent standing and is continuing to push it in a positive direction. I’m looking forward to working with Alyse to bring great football to Jersey. Additionally, I look forward to learning and improving my game with Coach Freya Coombe, her staff and my teammates. I have a feeling 2020 is going to be a good year for Jersey and I’m excited to serve my new community in whatever ways I can.”
Purce, 24, joined Sky Blue FC via a Jan. 8 trade with Portland Thorns FC. She enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, playing in 22 games, scoring eight goals and recording one assist. Purce finished the season as a top 10 goal-scorer, while earning player of the week honors for Week 19 and team of the month honors for June.
“Midge is coming off a very successful and impressive 2019 campaign,” head coach Freya Coombe said. “We believe the quality of play she’ll bring to training and matches will help make us a better team, and we’re so excited to bring her talents to Sky Blue.”
Entering her fourth season in the NWSL, Purce has played in 63 regular season games for 4,016 minutes, scored nine goals and added three assists.
“Midge was tremendous against us last season,” LaHue said. “Ever since then, she’s been a player we have kept our eye on and placed high on our off-season target list. She had a breakout season last year and that explosiveness will take us to the next level.”
Sky Blue FC will kick off its inaugural season against Reign FC at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m.
