Gotham Moves NWSL Semifinal to Icahn Stadium

Gotham FC will host the Kansas City Current at the 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island for Sunday’s NWSL semifinal, instead of playing at its usual home, the 25,000-seat Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The club announced the move on November 9, saying the field was not suitable for the match. The venue change means about 20,000 fewer potential tickets than at the original stadium.

The surface drew complaints after Gotham’s quarterfinal win over the Seattle Reign. The club was fined $10,000 by the NWSL over field conditions during its November 1 regular-season finale, and Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros apologized for the pitch after the quarterfinal. Gotham captain Tierna Davidson said the field did not meet the standard the team, league or fans deserved.

Sports Illustrated Stadium is operated by Major League Soccer’s Red Bull New York, which is set to play a friendly against Club América there on Saturday. Gotham, Red Bull New York and the league considered options for improving the surface, including adding artificial fibers to damaged areas, but that proposal was abandoned amid uncertainty about whether it could be completed in time.

Icahn Stadium seats 5,000 and has hosted Gotham matches before. The club’s president, Yael Averbuch West, said the decision prioritized giving players suitable conditions, while acknowledging the disappointment for fans who would not be able to attend at the larger venue. Red Bull New York wished Gotham well for the semifinal and said its Saturday match would go ahead at Sports Illustrated Stadium.