Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The 5,003 Sky Blue F.C. fans rooted desperately for a tying goal in the waning minutes of a match against the Washington Spirit last week, hoping Carli Lloyd or one of her teammates would score it. But no goal came, and the 1-0 loss cemented Sky Blue’s place at the bottom of the National Women’s Soccer League standings.
As disappointing as the result was for the home team, more important for the future of Sky Blue and the N.W.S.L. was the sold-out crowd that turned out to watch the midweek game at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University.