[vc_row][vc_column][styled_title title=”New Jersey ” show_hello=”no”]A struggling season and a struggling club.[/styled_title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

With the recent publication of two exposé articles highlighting the numerous issues within the management and stadium of Sky Blue FC, the club has faced criticism from journalists, fans and players alike. The club’s majority owner and governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, responded to these negative reports releasing a statement declaring, “It will not go on. In some cases, it’s from the past and it’s already been corrected. In some cases, it’s in the process of being corrected — and was already (before the stories came out).” To document the state of the club, we went to Yurcak field for the team’s first match since the stories broke.

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Sky Blue’s former assistant coach Dave Hodgson spoke to Equalizer Soccer about the conditions of Rutgers field, stating “They don’t enjoy having Rutgers as their home, because it’s crap. I mean, there’s literally a hill on the side where there should be bleachers. There’s no showers—there’s no showers. The two-time World Player of the Year [Carli Lloyd] has to get an ice bath in a 50-gallon trash can. It’s ridiculous.”

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The skies were grey and rain was coming down sporadically, but that didn’t stop Cloud 9 (Sky Blue FC supporters group) from showing their enthusiasm.

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Despite some close chances, Sky Blue fell to the visiting Portland Thorns 2-1.

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“When you finally get showers at your game field” – Amanda Frisbie on the rainy weather.

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While Cloud 9 came fully prepared for the weather – others opted to skip the game and stay dry.

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The empty pitchside seats (tickets are 90$)

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