Gotham FC traveled across the Hudson to Citi Field for this year’s iteration of the Queens Classic, where it defeated the NWSL’s reigning champions, the Washington Spirit, 1-0 in a rematch of the 2025 championship game.
Over 40,000 fans made their way to Queens for a day filled with soccer events, including a five-hour Footy Fest hosted by retired pro Sam Mewis. The pregame festivities featured a watch party for the World Cup semifinal and a live recording of women’s sports podcast “Welcome to the Party” hosted by retired USWNT members Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy.
The group also took part in Gotham’s Torch Lighting pre-match tradition alongside retired WNBA legend Sue Bird, NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell, and a member of the Mayor’s office, Geneva Wilson.
The Queen’s Classic served as a preview to Gotham’s official move to the borough for the 2028 season, where they will join MLS’s NYCFC at Etihad Park in Willets Point.
“I think the day was definitely a page in the history of the club, of New York City, and of women’s sports, in this country, and I think the team really stepped up to the occasion as a collective,” Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós said postgame.
The playing conditions were called into question because not only did they play on a converted baseball field, but the game took place during a heat advisory and smoky air conditions due to wildfires in Canada.
These challenges were resolved with two hydration breaks in both halves.
The first 20 minutes of the match were dictated by Gotham. Their dynamic attack consistently won the ball high up the pitch and put pressure on Washington’s Defense. Gotham winger Jordynn Dudley forced Spirit keeper Sandy Maclever into two saves early and was having a promising game before getting replaced early due to injury.
Despite early Gotham dominance, the best chance two-thirds of the way through the first half came from the Washington Spirit. After a sweet reverse pass from Rodman, left back Gabrielle Carle was 1 on 1 with the keeper. Luckily for the Queen’s crowd, the shot was right at Gotham keeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
Gotham midfielder Rose Lavelle opened up the scoring eight minutes before halftime after a Washington turnover let her pick up the ball, nutmeg the defender on the edge of the box, before finishing off the move with a perfectly placed chip over the keeper.
Gotham FC finished the half leading 1-0 while keeping 58% of the possession. The Washington Spirit enjoyed decent spells during the first period, but never looked too dangerous. Both teams finished the half with three shots on target.
The 64th minute was a moment of celebration for long-time Gotham FC fans as their all-time number one, Sam Kerr, returned to the club after over nine years away, entering the game for Sarah Schupansky. And she did not take long to make an impact, forcing Maclever into a save seconds after coming onto the pitch.
“I think that that’s always something I’m really excited about. Sam’s just a world-class player. So, just even in the 30 minutes we got to play, it was fun to get to link up with her,” goal scorer Lavelle said after the game.
A lobbed ball into Gotham’s box led to chaos, forcing Berger into an impressive double save before the half clearance was volleyed back towards her net, causing her to make an even more impressive third save.
Gotham FC was able to see out the victory with a defensive performance worthy of their best-in-the-world title. With this victory, Gotham were able to close the gap to the top of the table to just one point while maintaining their game in hand.
The historic night was attended by 42,175 people and became the second-most attended NWSL game in league history.
