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Gotham FC relocated their upcoming NWSL semifinal match against the Kansas City Current to Icahn Stadium. The venue change comes as a result of serious concerns regarding the playing surface at Sports Illustrated Stadium, which participants heavily criticized during the team’s quarterfinal victory over the Seattle Reign.
Surface Complaints Force Venue Shift
The NWSL Shield winners announced the stadium switch on Monday, just days prior to the semifinal fixture. Icahn Stadium is located on Manhattan’s Randall’s Island and accommodates 5,000 spectators, a significant drop from Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, which holds 25,000 people and hosted nearly 13,000 fans for Sunday’s 1-0 win over the Reign.
Following the quarterfinal, both teams voiced strong displeasure with the field conditions. Reign head coach Laura Harvey labeled the surface “shit” in an ESPN interview, while captain Jess Fishlock termed it “atrocious.” Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros also issued an apology regarding the pitch after the league fined the club $10,000 ahead of the match.
Gotham captain Tierna Davidson expressed frustration in a Monday statement, noting that the team earned a home playoff berth only to receive a field falling short of proper standards. Davidson acknowledged that moving to a smaller venue means many supporters will miss out, but emphasized that the squad remains determined.
The turf at Sports Illustrated Stadium suffered from heavy usage, including a rugby doubleheader the weekend before the quarterfinals. Gotham operates as a secondary tenant at the facility, which is owned by New Jersey’s Hudson County and operated by MLS club Red Bull New York. Midfielder Jaelin Howell described the resulting surface as sandy and unstable.
Red Bull New York will still proceed with a Saturday friendly against Club America at Sports Illustrated Stadium during the international break. In a statement reported by CBS Sports, Red Bull New York wished Gotham success at Icahn Stadium while confirming their own upcoming fixture.
Previous Experience at Icahn Stadium
Gotham previously played two matches at Icahn Stadium over the past year, including a 2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup group stage game and a July victory against the Reign. While the Manhattan location offers better convenience for city-based fans, public transportation options are limited to the M35 bus, a footbridge from 125th Street, or driving.
Jen Muller, a member of the Cloud 9 supporters group, previously told CBS Sports that the venue offers a closer option for New York residents despite transportation challenges. The pitch at Icahn Stadium is not anticipated to present any problems for Sunday’s match.
Playoff Logistics and Stadium Challenges
The relocation occurred even though Gotham avoided a broadcast scheduling conflict following the weekend results. The team preferred the Sunday time slot to prevent overlapping with the Red Bull New York friendly, and confirmed the venue before concerns over the turf took precedence.
Meanwhile, the Washington Spirit also managed to avoid their own scheduling hurdles for their semifinal against the Utah Royals. The Spirit secured Audi Field instead of moving to Northwest Stadium after a Division III college football game was rescheduled, with Spirit CEO Kim Stone thanking D.C. United and Lafayette Federal Credit Union for covering the financial adjustments.
These scheduling and venue challenges highlight ongoing difficulties for NWSL teams that operate as secondary tenants in stadiums owned by MLS clubs. While a few franchises share ownership or operate their own venues like the Kansas City Current, others must navigate complex venue sharing arrangements.
Gotham will host the Kansas City Current on Sunday afternoon at Icahn Stadium.
