PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY (July 21, 2018) — “When you finally get showers at your game field #toomuch? #nah #punny.”
Amanda Frisbie didn’t hold back in packing the punches at the Sky Blue FC organization. The same organization that she features for is under scrutiny from Frisbie, fellow teammates, opposing players and NWSL fans.
Hayley Raso Scores First Goal in Portland Thorns 2-1 Victory Over Sky Blue FC
A detailed report from The Equalizer took an in-depth look at the poor conditions and living conditions for the club’s players. Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey and a primary owner of the club, even commented on the situation.
“I don’t find the status quo tolerable–and these players deserve better,” Murphy said. “They deserve to operate in a professional and supportive environment so they can do what they do best: play the game, inspire fans, and build community through the power of the world’s most popular sport.”
“Like male athletes, women athletes deserve a first-rate experience both in the workplace and off the field,” Murphy continued. “It is clear that the players on Sky Blue FC have not received such treatment. That is simply not acceptable.”
Game On!
With national attention on Sky Blue FC’s conditions, the players tried to focus on the weekend’s task at hand: the Portland Thorns.
The Thorns have had a shaky season, bouncing back and forth between a playoff spot and just missing the cusp. Currently, with their 2-1 victory over Sky Blue FC on Saturday, the team sits in third place.
Sky Blue FC has still not won a regular-season contest.
Hayley Raso scored her first goal of the 2018 season during Saturday’s match. In the fourth minute, Christine Sinclair assisted her Australian teammate, putting the first point on the board.
Then, Portland struck again. This time, in the 7th minute, it was Ana-Marie Crnogorcevic, who slotted a goal past goalkeeper Caroline Casey.
Casey finished the match with one save, denying Tyler Lussi. Casey replaced goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan as the starting goalkeeper for this match.
After the match, Sky Blue FC head coach Denise Reddy said that she felt her side “played well enough to earn three points.”
“We created some of our best chances of the year tonight, especially in the second half,” Reddy said. “Collectively, our players did exactly what we asked them to do. Even when we were down 2-0, nobody hung their heads, and we got ourselves back into the game.”
“Everyone was playing with a great amount of energy, and I am very proud of the performance that our team put forth.”
According to a source close to Sky Blue, a “trailer” with running water, a bathroom, and a shower has been put at the team’s training facility in accordance what the GM told us. It seems to actually be an RV, but it’s an improvement over what they previously had. #SBFC #NWSL
— Ali 🟧 (@allibecc) July 18, 2018
