Sky Blue FC sets attendance record in match at Red Bull Arena

Sky Blue FC made history on Sunday afternoon with 9,415 people in the stands at Red Bull Arena to set a new franchise attendance record.

The matinee ended in a 1-1 draw, but the location of the game was the big news of the day since it was nearly double the capacity of their home stadium, Yurcak Field at Rutgers University in Piscataway. USWNT star Megan Rapinoe did not play for the visitors because of an achilles injury, but the match did feature World Cup winners Carli Lloyd for Sky Blue and Reign FC’s Allie Long.

Sky Blue captain Sarah Killon also celebrated her 100th cap on the day.

“100th in front of this crowd is just a dream come true,” Killon was quoted saying after the match in a news release. “I feel very honored to be on the field with the players and with Sky Blue, I know the staff was working as hard as they could to make this happen and so it just brings a smile to my face. We almost got the win. We are scraping and we are fighting and I think we are getting better and better every week.”

Sky Blue took the lead in the 36th minute when Mount Laurel, N.J. native Kenie Wright played a ball over the back line from the right flank to Elizabeth Eddy, who chipped the keeper for her first Sky Blue goal. The assist was the first of Wright’s career in her fifth appearance and first start.

Reign FC responded less than two minutes later with an equalizer from Jodie Taylor off a pass from Long.

Sky Blue travels to face the Houston Dash at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday before returning to Yurcak Field on September 7 to host the North Carolina Courage at 3 p.m.