A sold‑out crowd of 42,175 fans filled Citi Field in Queens on a warm summer evening, marking the largest attendance ever recorded for a women’s professional soccer match in the city.
A record night at Citi Field
The match set a city record for women’s sports attendance, with 42,175 fans packing the stadium. Rose Lavelle broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, delivering a strike that proved to be the game’s sole goal.
Sam Kerr made a much‑anticipated comeback, stepping onto the pitch after a six‑year hiatus. The forward logged 26 minutes off the bench, marking her first NWSL appearance since the previous season and her first game for Gotham FC in over eight years.
The Washington Spirit have now gone five straight matches without scoring against Gotham, a streak that dates back to a 2024 semifinal in which Hal Hershfelt found the net. All five encounters between the clubs have taken place in different venues, adding a layer of unpredictability to their rivalry.
With the capital city’s fans eager for redemption, the Spirit will look to break the drought in their next meeting, while Gotham aims to build on the momentum generated by a night that blended historic attendance with standout performances.