Gotham FC will play Sunday's NWSL semifinal against the Kansas City Current at Icahn Stadium after deciding the pitch at Sports Illustrated Stadium is not up to standard. The club announced the venue change on Monday, less than a week before the match.
The decision follows Gotham's quarterfinal win over the Seattle Reign, during which the playing surface was heavily criticized. Reign head coach Laura Harvey called the field "shit" and captain Jess Fishlock described it as "atrocious." Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros apologized for the surface quality after the NWSL fined the club $10,000 before the quarterfinal.
Captain Tierna Davidson said in a statement that the team earned a home playoff berth but received a field that does not meet the standards the club, league, or fans deserve. She acknowledged the move to the 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium means many supporters will not be able to attend, but urged fans to bring their energy regardless.
Sports Illustrated Stadium, which seats 25,000, is owned by Hudson County and operated primarily by MLS side Red Bull New York. The pitch showed significant wear from a rugby doubleheader the weekend before the quarterfinal, leading Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell to describe it as "sandy" and "unstable." The Red Bulls will still host a friendly against Club America at the stadium on Saturday.
Icahn Stadium, located on Manhattan's Randall's Island, has hosted Gotham matches previously, including a Concacaf W Champions Cup game in 2025. Coach Amoros praised its pitch as "outstanding" compared to the deteriorating conditions at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The venue switch highlights ongoing scheduling and facility challenges in the NWSL, where many teams are secondary tenants in MLS stadiums. The Washington Spirit also moved their semifinal back to Audi Field after a college football game was rescheduled, underscoring the league's broader infrastructure issues.
