PISCATAWAY, NJ—For the second consecutive year, Sky Blue FC, a professional soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League will play its home matches at Rutgers University’s Yurcak Field again this season.

The home opener is scheduled for April 19 at 7 pm, against the Portland Thorns FC.

“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 an announcement on the club’s 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,” said Tony Novo, who became the club’s general manager in November.

“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 their first home game of the season in April against the popular NWSL Portland Thorns FC and build force.

The two teams played three enjoyable matches last year including a 0-0 draw at Yurcak Field.

Last month, 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 (WPS) 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 as part of the 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 Portland). He did not give a specific attendance goal for 2014.

Tickets can be purchased online through SkyBlueFC.com. 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.”

Below is the complete 2014 schedule for Sky Blue FC:

  • Sat Apr 12 8:00 PM FC Kansas City vs Sky Blue FC Verizon Wireless Field Durwood Stadium
  • Sat Apr 19 7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Portland Thorns FC Yurcak Field
  • Sun Apr 27 7:00 PM Boston Breakers vs Sky Blue FC Harvard Stadium
  • Wed Apr 30 7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Seattle Reign FC Yurcak Field
  • Sat May 3 7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Boston Breakers Yurcak Field
  • Wed May 7 7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Chicago Red Stars Yurcak Field
  • Sun May 11 3:00 PM Western New York Flash vs Sky Blue FC Sahlen’s Stadium
  • Wed May 21 7:00 PM Washington Spirit vs Sky Blue FC Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium
  • Sat May 24 10:00 PM Portland Thorns FC vs Sky Blue FC Providence Park
  • Wed May 28  7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Chicago Red Stars Yurcak Field
  • Sun Jun 1  6:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Seattle Reign FC Yurcak Field
  • Sun Jun 8 6:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Houston Dash Yurcak Field
  • Sun Jun 15 2:00 PM Chicago Red Stars vs Sky Blue FC Benedictine U. Stadium
  • Sun Jun 22  6:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Boston Breakers Yurcak Field
  • Wed Jun 25 10:00 PM Portland Thorns FC vs Sky Blue FC Providence Park
  • Sat Jun 28 9:00 PM Seattle Reign FC vs Sky Blue FC Memorial Stadium
  • Wed Jul 2  7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Houston Dash Yurcak Field
  • Sun Jul 6  6:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs FC Kansas City Yurcak Field
  • Sun Jul 20 6:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Washington Spirit Yurcak Field
  • Sun Jul 27  6:00 PM FC Kansas City vs Sky Blue FC Verizon Wireless Field Durwood Stadium
  • Thu Jul 31  7:00 PM Sky Blue FC vs Western New York Flash Yurcak Field
  • Sat Aug 9 9:00 PM Houston Dash vs Sky Blue FC BBVA Compass Stadium
  • Wed Aug 13 7:00 PM Western New York Flash vs Sky Blue FC Sahlen’s Stadium
  • Sat Aug 16 6:30 PM Washington Spirit vs Sky Blue FC Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium

Home games are in bold.

Business Reporter at New Brunswick Today | dschatz@nb.today

Dave is an award-winning business reporter who has authored over 200 articles for New Brunswick Today.

Dave is an award-winning business reporter who has authored over 200 articles for New Brunswick Today.