Sky Blue FC Celebrates Soccer

Cheers, gasps, and tears were exuded by an exasperated crowd of several hundred sun-baked World Cup spectators on Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of Yurcak field on Busch campus.

During the Summer Soccer Celebration, hosted by Somerset County-based Women’s Professional Soccer League team Sky Blue FC, the crowd gathered to watch the World Cup finals, and then cheered Sky Blue FC on in a 6 p.m. game against the Western New York Flash.

Families set up tents while groups of people draped in red, white, and blue populated the field. Some flew flags or brandished signs supporting specific players. Adults chanted and clapped while younger children ran around the grounds, some chasing dragonflies.

Emotions undulated with each goal scored by U.S. Women’s Soccer team as well as both game-tying goals scored by Japan as the teams leap-frogged each other right up to the nail-biting shootout that sealed Japan’s victory in Frankfurt, Germany.

“I’m sad USA lost,” said Monica Schmelzer of Brooklyn. “But if anyone had to beat us, I guess I’m glad it was Japan.”

Schmelzer’s reaction was not unique. In the wake a series of heart-wrenching national tragedies beginning with the earthquake that brought Japan to its knees in April, the spectators mustered smiles as they stood up to stretch. As Emily Rogawski of Maspeth, N.Y. said, it was Japan’s time.

“It’s disappointing,” Rogawski added. “It’s one of the best games we’ve played and the team worked so hard to get here.”

Besides, the World Cup was just a staging ground for most of the crowd—most proceeded to migrate from the parking lot to Yurcak field itself where the Sky Blue FC calls home.

“We came here to support our girls on the USA team,” said Mike Sweeney, a member of the New York Red Bulls fan club, 'The Viking Army Supporters Club.’ “But we’re singing our songs for Sky Blue tonight.”

But their boisterous chanting and singing in the stands did not carry Sky Blue to victory. According to the team’s press release of the game, the Western New York Flash raised an impenetrable defense to secure a 2-0 victory against the home team, ending its six game streak at Yurcak.

But the team is down several key players. Midfielders Heather O’Reilly and Tobin Heath were at the field only on the big screen, as the two were playing in the World Cup.

And they certainly don’t carry the young team which, according to its director of communications John Archibald, has been playing well despite the absence.

“With the exception of our loss in Philadelphia last week, we haven’t lost in two months,” he said, adding that they played with real determination.

They also played for a cause. Donning pink outfits, the team partnered up with apparel company Puma to support its “Project Pink” initiative. The jerseys were auctioned off from a tent outside of the stadium during the game, kicked off at 6 p.m. and given to the winners after the 90 minutes of playtime.

According to a Puma spokesperson, the proceeds of Project Pink will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a charity organization that raises funds for breast cancer research.

In addition to that, Puma is also donating a dollar to the organization for every twitter user that sends out a tweet with the #ProjectPink hash tag.

The spokesperson added that Project Pink raised $60,000 last year through its partnerships with soccer teams and the twitter initiative.

In the end, women’s soccer fans left Yurcak field disappointed after back-to-back losses. But if nothing else, the enduring smiles and high spirits of the fans made it a victory for sportsmanship.