Pauliina Miettinen has been dismissed as head coach of Sky Blue FC along with assistant coach Anne Parnila.  Assistant coach Rick Stainton, previously the team's goalkeeper coach, will takeover the helm as head coach.

"We respect Pauliina a great deal and appreciate the effort she put forth for our organization," Sky Blue FC General Manager Gerry Marrone said. "Her hard work and passion for the team and the game were never in question.  Sometimes, a situation simply does not work out.  That is part of the learning process involved when it comes to professional sports.  We have to be resilient, as well as continue to adapt and grow."

Stainton becomes the fifth coach of Sky Blue FC in less than two full seasons in Women's Professional Soccer, joining Miettinen, Ian Sawyers, Kelly Lindsey and player/coach Christie Rampone, who led the team on its magical championship run in 2009.

Stainton's previous coaching experience includes head coach of the women's team at Caldwell (NJ) College and as assistant at Rider (NJ) University.  He was also the goalkeeper coach for the W-League's New Jersey Wildcats in 2009.  His first game in charge will be Saturday when Sky Blue FC (5-6-3, 18 pts.) takes on the Philadelphia Independence (6-5-3, 21 pts.) in West Chester, Penn.

"This is an opportunity that I truly look forward to embracing," Stainton said.  "I am extremely humbled and appreciative of the trust that the organization is showing in me to complete the task at hand.  In talking with the team, they have shown a sincere confidence in the direction in which we are going and our ability to be successful.  Together, I know we can achieve great things going forward, both on and off the field."