Gotham FC's Queens Classic Was A Grand Slam: Here's Why
About this episode
LDG discusses Gotham FC's historic match in New York City, highlighting fan attendance and emotional moments despite on-field challenges.
Gotham FC just played their first-ever regular season match inside New York City proper, and 42,175 fans showed up to Citi Field to watch it happen. In this episode, LDG breaks down why the Queens Classic was a genuine grand slam moment for the club, even though the ninety minutes on the field left plenty to be desired. He walks through the business case first: a new NYC women's sports attendance record, set not in ideal conditions but through 90-degree heat and an active wildfire smoke advisory, four days before a men's World Cup Final just miles away at MetLife. He connects that turnout directly to the club's recently announced 2028 move to Etihad Park, arguing this was less a one-off spectacle and more a stress test the club needed to pass. From there, LDG gets into the emotional storylines of the night, including Sam Kerr's long-awaited return to the club where her NWSL career first took off, and what her ovation from a sold-out crowd signals about the fanbase Gotham is building in Queens. He also doesn't shy away from the rough patches: a chewed-up outfield-turned-pitch that caused multiple stumbles, a scrappy and largely uneventful second half, and a scary early exit for…
More episodes of The Women's Soccer Podcast
- Blockbuster WSL Summer Transfers Reshaping the League
- Mya Jones on Calgary Wild FC's Project, NWSL Draft Day, and the Northern Super League
- Halifax Tides' Naya Cardoza on Defending the World's Best
- Listener Q+A: Gotham FC’s New York Move & Spain’s World Cup Chances
- Emma Egizii on Transitioning from UCLA to the Chicago Stars
- From NWSL to the Ascent: Shea Groom on Her Next Chapter
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Women's Soccer Podcast podcast page.