The club's evolution mirrors the rapid expansion of the league. Gotham FC recently announced plans to relocate to Etihad Park in New York beginning in 2028.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani organized promotional efforts, including a $15 ticket offer, which brought in a crowd where 70 percent of ticket-buyers were new fans.
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"It was really special just to see how many people were there that that was their first Gotham game," midfielder Jaedyn Shaw said.
Despite the success, the match highlighted growing pains. Players noted that the temporary grass pitch at the baseball stadium was not ideal.
"That's showbiz, baby," Lavelle said regarding the field conditions.
Weather also posed severe challenges, with a heatwave pushing the heat index above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Wildfire smoke from Canada prompted an air quality alert across New York.
Because the air quality index stayed below the postponement threshold of 180, the league implemented two hydration breaks per half.
Spirit coach Adrián González noted these pauses disrupted the game's rhythm.
"I think on both sides, we were just like, 'Damn, another break, another break, another break,'" Rodman said.
She added: "If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn't be playing the game, and that's my opinion.
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… But at the end of the day, there's 40,000 people, it's a whole event. So it is really tough."
