SOMERSET, N.J. — Maybe the newest coach of Sky Blue FC will stick around.

Former Finnish national team player Pauliina Miettinen was hired today by Sky Blue, the fourth coach for the franchise that won the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer title.

U.S. national team captain Christie Rampone served as player-coach as the New Jersey-based franchise qualified for the playoffs and advanced through the postseason. With a baby due in March, she probably won't return to the field as a player until June.

Miettinen had coached in the Finnish Premier League. She also worked at Florida State when the Seminoles reached the 2005 NCAA semifinals.

Sky Blue fired its first coach, Ian Sawyers, in May. Replacement Kelly Lindsey abruptly resigned late in the regular season.
Forward Natasha Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai‘i alum, is a member of Sky Blue.