Today’s 2014 NWSL schedule release confirmed that Sky Blue FC, our local National Women’s Soccer League pro team (headquartered in Morristown, N.J.), will play its home matches at Rutgers University’s Yurcak Field again this year.
The home opener is scheduled for April 19th, against the Portland Thorns.
“Sky Blue FC will once again call Yurcak Field “home” this season as the club returns to the Rutgers University facility in Piscataway, NJ,” stated news on the clubs website.
It’s no secret that Yurcak Field has the best grass surface in the NWSL.
“We’re excited to announce that we will be returning to a great facility that the players and fans are familiar with,” Tony Novo, who became the club’s general manager in November, said. “We’re happy to be able to continue playing on one of the only grass surfaces in the league.”
Let’s hope NJ’s Sky Blue will fly high at the home opener in April against the league popular Thorns and build force. The two teams played three enjoyable matches last year including a 0-0, draw at Yurcak Field.
A couple of weeks ago Sky Blue announced an exclusive partnership with NCAA Division II Georgian Court University to make GCU the club’s “official training grounds” for the upcoming NWSL season.
“This is a tremendous improvement,” Tony Novo, who became the club’s general manager in November, said. “They pretty much have opened the door for us.
Novo reminded us that last year was a rebuilding year for Sky Blue, after having 2012 off because the Women’s Professional Soccer league folded before the season began (Sky Blue won the inaugural WPS Championship in 2009), and the organization made a last minute decision to operate Sky Blue in 2013 (the inaugural year for today’s NWSL). Regarding attendance at Yurcak Field, Novo expects substantial improvement over last season’s average of 1,677 (the high was 3,002 at the June 22 match against the Portland Thorns). He did not give a specific attendance goal for 2014.
Tickets can be purchased online through SkyBlueFC.com starting Monday, February 10. Ticket purchasing will feature a new online platform including: improved viewing of seat availability; option to print tickets from home; forward tickets to friends; and engage in social media.
“Our fans have spoken, and Sky Blue FC has now delivered,” director of sales Jim Gooley said. “Our fans have asked for an easier way for purchasing Sky Blue FC tickets, and this is it. You can walk past the will call window and have your ticket scanned at the gate and you’re in with a beep. Nothing is more convenient.”
Full Sky Blue schedule