Wave of Emotions Within Sky Blue FC Fans

It is no secret that Sky Blue FC is going through a rough time this season. The team has now recorded 14 games without a win. Of those 14 games, they have never taken the lead and that is now the worst record in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Fans have been expressing their concerns about the team’s future as the season progresses without positive results. However, it was Sam Kerr‘s post-game comments during NWSL week 15, that started a wave of emotions and started the conversation.

Sam Kerr spent three seasons in New Jersey. Kerr had an amazing 2017 season. She became Sky Blue FC’s all-time leading scorer, and earned the NWSL 2017 MVP award. On January 19, Sky Blue announced they were trading Sam Kerr and Nikki Stanton to the Chicago Red Stars. Kerr did not step foot at Yurcak Field until July 7, when Sky Blue faced Chicago during NWSL week 15.

Kerr Comments

Kerr expressed her sadness to a small group of media reporters gathered at Yurcak Field for post-game interviews, when asked about how she felt returning to New Jersey.

“If I’m honest I didn’t enjoy it. I wish things were better here and that I could stay,” Kerr said. “I scored a hat trick, but I wasn’t myself today. I feel sad. I feel sick playing against these girls. They’re my life long friends…”

In terms of what could have improved for the New Jersey team, Kerr also stood up for her former teammates. 

“I’m just going to say the girls deserve better and leave it at that. These girls are great girls, they give everything for this club and everything for this league and they just deserve better,” Kerr added.

These comments were soon posted online, and have led fans to take on Twitter to voice their opinions and encouraged them to take a stand on this matter, including Sky Blue’s official supporters group, Cloud 9.

Tweets That Started The Conversation

After Kerr’s comments were posted online, Cloud 9 released the following statement:

#PushForward #OrGetOutOfTheWay pic.twitter.com/C5dXCzcNgn

— Cloud 9 (@Cloud9SBFC) July 8, 2018

The next day after Cloud 9’s statement, Sky Blue FC officially released their response:

Your voice matters, and we want you to know that we hear you. Let’s work together to make this better for us all.#PushForward pic.twitter.com/kXnrOGnTgt

— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) July 9, 2018

Although Cloud 9 thanked management for the response, they also urged them to take action:

Thank you. We appreciate that you acknowledge the dire need for change. Now it’s time to put those words into action.

We urge you to listen to the players, past & present, and address what needs to be done in order to treat them as the professionals that they are. https://t.co/p5hncLAxGO

— Cloud 9 (@Cloud9SBFC) July 9, 2018

Other Reactions

This is the best possible statement Sky Blue could have put out in the wake of Sam Kerr’s, other previous players’, and Cloud 9’s statements following Saturday night’s loss. The club also knows that this statement without appropriate action behind the scenes means nothing. https://t.co/9ffn7BnGJZ

— Allison Lee (@allibecc) July 9, 2018

Don’t know what goes on behind the scenes that makes the players unhappy but my daughter has been to 5 games this season and just LOVES watching Sky Blue play, win or lose. She loves the venue, experience, etc. Hoping whatever is wrong gets fixed ❤⚽

— DiPersons (@DiPersons) July 10, 2018

This needs to be paid attention to. Thanks @samkerr1 for being honest & real like you always are. https://t.co/7dtS2tvvCw

— Kim DeCesare (@kmd32) July 8, 2018

For progress to be made the gap in treatment & lifestyle between the clubs must be closed. That can happen with a commissioner creating & enforcing standards that absolutely must be met. Example: Showers at a game field should be a non-negotiable.

— Caroline Stanley (@CarolineStan) July 8, 2018

In particular, here is one of the reactions from Anthony DiCicco that caught my attention:

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a professional organization release a statement like this. Obviously, their actions will determine its worth, but if they do push forward and evolve, it is a strong statement about the strength of vulnerability and the power of a shared vision. https://t.co/Ckl88BRDxN

— Anthony DiCicco (@DiCiccoMethod) July 9, 2018

While Sky Blue FC acknowledges not to have any specifics to share just yet, they are saying that they do have a timeline in motion in regards to changes:

While we do not immediate specifics to share, we can tell you that we are looking through each element of the players’ current environment to see where we can make impactful changes.

— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) July 9, 2018

The timeline on making changes is in motion. All we need from you and all of our supporters is to just keep doing what you do.

— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) July 10, 2018