Gotham FC’s path to the NWSL semifinals just got a lot messier — and not just because of the scoreline.
The No. 1 seed advanced with a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Seattle Reign on Sunday, but the real story was the dreadful state of the field at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. The surface was sandy, patchy and unstable just 18 hours after an MLS match, prompting sharp criticism from both sides and throwing the location of next weekend’s semifinal into uncertainty.
Seattle coach Laura Harvey didn’t hold back. “Let’s be real, there’s no way a playoff game should be played on that s---,” she told ESPN. “I just can’t believe they’ve allowed it.” The NWSL had already fined Gotham $10,000 for the same pitch after the regular-season finale. The stadium, which Gotham does not control, had also hosted a rugby match earlier in the week.
Gotham won without registering a single shot on target — the first team in NWSL history to do so — after Jaedyn Shaw’s early corner deflected in off a Reign defender for an own goal. Both coaches and several players said the conditions severely disrupted play.
“It was so bad,” Gotham defender Jess Carter said. Seattle midfielder Jess Fishlock, playing her final game, simply called it “atrocious.” Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós felt compelled to apologize for the surface even in victory.
With the field still in poor shape, Gotham’s planned home semifinal against the Kansas City Current is now in doubt. One possible alternative is the 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium in New York City. The Washington Spirit, who advanced with a 4-1 win over Portland, will host their semifinal at Audi Field a day earlier.
League and club officials spent hours Sunday night exploring options, including emergency repairs or a full resod at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The venue is also due to host a Red Bulls friendly next weekend, adding further pressure.
Harvey summed up the frustration felt across the competition: “We’re 15 years in and we are letting that happen? What are we doing?”