Gotham FC secured a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Reign in the NWSL quarterfinal at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sunday, but the match was overshadowed by widespread criticism of the playing surface. The NWSL had fined Gotham $10,000 before the game over pitch quality, and the field showed heavy wear after hosting an MLS match the previous evening and a rugby doubleheader the week prior.
Coaches and players condemn surface
Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said he felt "the obligation to almost apologize for the state of the pitch" and argued that a playoff game at this level should have a better surface. Reign veteran Jess Fishlock, playing the final match of her career, called the field "atrocious," while Reign coach Laura Harvey told ESPN, "Let's be real, there's no way a playoff game should be played on that shit." Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell acknowledged the sandy, unstable conditions but said the team managed them well.
Match decided by own goal
The only goal came in the fourth minute when Reign defender Jordyn Bugg turned a Jaedyn Shaw cross into her own net. Gotham failed to register a single shot on target, managing six shots worth 0.17 expected goals, while Seattle produced 11 shots and 0.54 xG. Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made several crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Gotham's attack struggles
Gotham's offense was further hampered by the halftime withdrawal of Rose Lavelle due to a recent knock, and forward Sam Kerr went the full 90 minutes without a shot, touching the ball just 23 times. Kerr has scored only four goals in 18 games since joining in July despite 9.67 expected goals. Amoros credited Seattle's high press and diagonal passing for disrupting Gotham's rhythm.
Gotham will host the Kansas City Current in the semifinals at the same stadium next Sunday, with the New York Red Bulls scheduled to play a friendly there the night before.
