New Jersey Club Welcomes Two-Time NWSL Champions to Yurcak Field for 6:00 PM Kickoff
Sky Blue FC (0-1-1, 1 point) will return to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Sunday, hosting two-time NWSL champion FC Kansas City (1-1-0, 3 points) at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. Kickoff for the match is set for 6:00 p.m., with tickets available online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849).
“We are looking forward to getting back on home soil and playing in front of our fans in New Jersey for the first time this season,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “As a club, it is very important to us that we give our home fans a very enjoyable season, and that all begins with a good performance on Sunday.”
After two consecutive road matches to start the 2017 NWSL campaign, Sky Blue FC finally returns home on Sunday before hitting the road again for its next two games. The New Jersey club will be looking to rebound from a tightly contested outing last weekend, when it fell to the Boston Beakers, 1-0. In that fixture, Sky Blue FC created a handful of early opportunities but was equally matched by Boston netminder Abby Smith. The lone score came in the 37th minute, as Rose Lavelle fed a through-ball into the right side of the penalty area that was finished by Natasha Dowie. The result brought a 12-match scoring streak to a halt for Sky Blue FC, which was the longest active streak in the league.
FC Kansas City enters Sunday on the heels of a 1-0 road loss to the Chicago Red Stars last weekend. The only goal in that match-up came via a 41st minute tally by U.S. international Julie Ertz. FC Kansas City opened the 2017 season by defeating the Breakers at home, 2-0.
On Sunday night, Sky Blue FC will be seeking its first-ever win over FC Kansas City at Yurcak Field, as FC Kansas City currently holds a 3-0-2 record in matches played in New Jersey. The all-time series stands at 5-2-3 in favor of FC Kansas City, which also took the 2016 chapter with a cumulative 1-0-1 mark.
Sky Blue FC will be playing without a pair of key players on Sunday, as defender Christie Pearce and forward Sam Kerr will both be out of action. After playing every single minute of every single match in 2016, Pearce will miss her first game since 2015 due to being in the league concussion protocol. Her consecutive matches played streak concludes at 29 games, having missed her last contest only because of participation in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Kerr is currently in Australia to attend the Dolan Warren Awards, but she will be returning to New Jersey early next week.
Also of note this Sunday, Sky Blue FC will be seeking its first win in a home opener since the inaugural NWSL season in 2013.
Tickets for Sky Blue FC’s 2017 regular season home opener on Sunday are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849).
For all of the latest news on Sky Blue FC, visit the team online and follow us on social media: @SkyBlueFC
