Gotham FC’s home semifinal match moved over field quality issues
Gotham FC’s home semifinal match moved over field quality issues
Madeline Kenney Tue, November 10, 2026 at 7:04 AM UTC
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Seattle Reign FC defender Phoebe McClernon, left, defends Gotham FC forward Guro Reiten during an NWSL playoff game in Harrison, N.J., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
For the first time in franchise history, Gotham FC is set to host its semifinal match next weekend. But there’s an unfortunate twist.
Gotham’s semifinal match against the Kansas City Current won’t be played at the club’s typical stomping grounds in Harrison, New Jersey.
Instead, Gotham agreed to move Sunday’s match to Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island for better playing surface quality.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, and one we did not take lightly,” Gotham president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West said in a letter to fans. “After thoughtful consultation with coach Juan Carlos Amorós, our team captains, and our ownership, we felt it was important to prioritize a playing surface that appropriately allows our athletes to perform at their best. Providing our players with a high-quality surface to compete is a responsibility we take very seriously.”
The Gotham FC starting eleven line up before the NWSL playoff quarterfinal in Harrison, N.J., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. Lev Radin/Shutterstock
Gotham is a tenant of Major League Soccer’s Red Bull New York at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Red Bulls are scheduled to play an exhibition game there Saturday night, exacerbating concerns about the field quality.
The state of Sports Illustrated Stadium’s pitch has been a cause for concern over the past two weeks.
ESPN reported the NWSL fined Gotham $10,000 for poor field conditions during last week’s regular-season finale, after which the club was awarded its first league Shield.
The pitch condition was once again a major sticking point after Gotham’s ugly quarterfinal win against the Seattle Reign.
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Retiring Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock called the field “atrocious.” Gotham defender Jess Carter was overheard saying the grounds were “so bad” when walking through the tunnel after the match.
A week after Jaelin Howell injured her right ankle during a home game, the Gotham midfielder said the field was “pretty sandy” and “a little unstable.”
Amorós acknowledged the rough conditions impacted the quality of the game.
Seattle Reign FC defender Phoebe McClernon, left, defends Gotham FC forward Guro Reiten during an NWSL playoff game in Harrison, N.J., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“At this level, in this kind of game, as a league, and we should have a better surface,” Amorós said. “Unfortunately, our club and football club did absolutely everything in their power to make sure that was the case. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. But luckily, it looks like nobody got hurt, and the game was what it was.”
It’s not immediately clear if the NWSL penalized Gotham for a second consecutive week because of the field.
Icahn Stadium is a significantly smaller venue than Sports Illustrated Stadium. It seats 5,000 — 20,000 fewer than Gotham’s regular stadium.
“Obviously, we want to play where we’re comfortable and familiar. We want a big, full stadium,” Howell said after Gotham advanced to its fourth consecutive semifinals. “I think that’s just part of the women’s game that’s going to have to continue to grow. And we’re playing a semifinal for the first time at home. And I think we deserve a big stadium.
“But no matter where we play, we’re going to put our best effort out, obviously, and not have it be a distraction.”
Source: “AOL Sports”
