Field Quality Forces Venue Change: Gotham FC Moves NWSL Semifinal to Randall's Island
The women's soccer team will play the Kansas City Current at a 5,000-seat stadium instead of its usual 25,000-seat home due to poor pitch conditions.
By Julia Wang ·
Gotham FC plays its National Women's Soccer League semifinal on Sunday against the Kansas City Current, but the match will no longer take place at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The club moved the game to Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island in Manhattan because the playing surface at its regular home venue failed inspection. This decision reduces the available seating capacity from 25,000 to 5,000.
The timeline of the issue began with a 10,000 dollar fine levied by the league on November 1. That penalty followed the club's regular season finale against the Utah Royals, which was played on a field deemed substandard. The problems continued during the NWSL quarterfinal on Sunday, a match that Gotham FC won 1-0 against the Seattle Reign. Players and coaches criticized the pitch condition after that game.
Red Bull New York, the Major League Soccer tenant of the stadium, hosted Atlanta United on Saturday. They won that regular season finale 3-0. A source with direct knowledge of the situation said Gotham FC explored nearly a dozen alternative venues before the schedule was finalized. The club spent weeks discussing improvements with Red Bull New York and stadium management. When the Seattle match was moved to Sunday, the field remained a sandy, soft surface.
Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said, "I feel the obligation to almost apologize for the state of the pitch." The team did not record a single shot on target during the victory over Seattle. An own goal by Seattle defender Jordyn Bugg in the fourth minute decided the match. This marks the first time in NWSL history that a team advanced without a shot on target.
Gotham FC captain Tierna Davidson commented on the situation. "We as a team worked extremely hard to earn a home playoff berth," she said. "What we got was a field that is not the standard this club, this league, or our fans deserve." Governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett added that the players deserve a professional surface and that the club is disappointed fans will be unable to attend.
Red Bull New York will use the Sports Illustrated Stadium field again on Saturday. They are scheduled to face Club America in a friendly match. A statement from the MLS team said, "We wish Gotham FC the best of luck in their semifinal at Icahn Stadium. We look forward to our match on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium."
Officials from Gotham FC, Red Bull New York, and the NWSL worked together on potential fixes. The last option considered was a hybrid model that would sew artificial threads into the Bermuda grass. This plan was abandoned because it was unclear if it could be completed before Red Bull's Saturday match. The MLS team will play on the existing pitch.
Gotham FC president Yael Averbuch West said the club prioritized the playing surface to allow athletes to perform at their best. The move to Icahn Stadium means the loss of 20,000 potential tickets. The club acknowledged the impact on fan attendance but stated that providing a high-quality surface is a core responsibility.
The semifinal between Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current is set for Sunday at Icahn Stadium. The venue has a capacity of 5,000 spectators. Sports Illustrated Stadium, which holds 25,000 fans, will host the Red Bull New York friendly on Saturday night.
