Gotham FC will host its NWSL semifinal against the Kansas City Current on Sunday at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island in Manhattan, moving the match from its home venue at Sports Illustrated Stadium due to field conditions.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Icahn Stadium has a capacity of approximately 5,000, compared to Sports Illustrated Stadium's 25,000 seats.
Gotham FC President of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West said the decision came after consultation with coach Juan Carlos Amorós, team captains and ownership. "This was an extremely difficult decision, and one we did not take lightly," Averbuch West said. "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."
Amorós criticized the field conditions at Sports Illustrated Stadium following Gotham's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Seattle Reign on Sunday. "I feel the obligation to almost apologize for the state of the pitch," Amorós said post-match. Seattle head coach Laura Harvey told ESPN the field was unacceptable. "Let's be real, there's no way a playoff game should be played on that," Harvey said. "I just can't believe they've allowed it. They knew it last week."
Players from both teams reported the surface was poor. Retiring Seattle player Jess Fishlock called it "atrocious." Gotham defender Jess Carter said it "was so bad."
The NWSL fined Gotham $10,000 for the field's condition for the regular-season finale, Harvey said, and ESPN subsequently confirmed. The stadium, owned by New Jersey's Hudson County, is primarily home to Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls played their regular season finale on Saturday evening, less than 24 hours before the NWSL match. The stadium also hosted a rugby match the previous week.
Gotham, the NWSL top seed, advanced to the semifinals with the victory over No. 8 Seattle.