Women's soccer reaches new heights in USA, becomes one of America's fastest-growing sports as Gotham FC sets New York attendance record
Women’s soccer in the United States reached another major milestone on Wednesday night as Gotham FC helped rewrite the history books. A sold-out crowd of 42,175 fans packed Citi Field in Queens to watch Gotham defeat the Washington Spirit 1-0 in the first-ever NWSL match played in New York City. The record-breaking turnout highlighted the growing popularity of women’s soccer across the country.
The historic crowd made the Queens Classic the largest attendance for a women’s sporting event in New York history and the second-biggest crowd in NWSL history. With Rose Lavelle scoring the winning goal and Australian star Sam Kerr making her long-awaited return to Gotham FC. It showed how women’s soccer has become one of America’s fastest-growing sporting attractions.
Record crowd shows women’s soccer boom is only getting bigger
The atmosphere at Citi Field made one thing very clear that women’s soccer is no longer a niche sport in the United States. Fans filled every available seat as Gotham FC hosted defending NWSL champions Washington Spirit in a landmark match that will be remembered for years.
The attendance of 42,175 broke the previous record for a women’s sporting event in New York, surpassing the crowd that watched the 2023 US Open women’s singles final at nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium. It also became the second-largest attendance ever recorded in NWSL history, behind only the league’s match in Denver earlier this year.
On the pitch, Gotham FC gave supporters plenty to celebrate. Rose Lavelle produced a moment of brilliance in the 37th minute, lifting a perfectly placed shot over Washington goalkeeper Sandy MacIver to score the only goal of the match. The victory moved Gotham into a three-way tie on points for second place in the NWSL standings, although the club remained fourth because of tiebreakers.
The historic crowd made the Queens Classic the largest attendance for a women’s sporting event in New York history and the second-biggest crowd in NWSL history. With Rose Lavelle scoring the winning goal and Australian star Sam Kerr making her long-awaited return to Gotham FC. It showed how women’s soccer has become one of America’s fastest-growing sporting attractions.
Record crowd shows women’s soccer boom is only getting bigger
The atmosphere at Citi Field made one thing very clear that women’s soccer is no longer a niche sport in the United States. Fans filled every available seat as Gotham FC hosted defending NWSL champions Washington Spirit in a landmark match that will be remembered for years.
The attendance of 42,175 broke the previous record for a women’s sporting event in New York, surpassing the crowd that watched the 2023 US Open women’s singles final at nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium. It also became the second-largest attendance ever recorded in NWSL history, behind only the league’s match in Denver earlier this year.
On the pitch, Gotham FC gave supporters plenty to celebrate. Rose Lavelle produced a moment of brilliance in the 37th minute, lifting a perfectly placed shot over Washington goalkeeper Sandy MacIver to score the only goal of the match. The victory moved Gotham into a three-way tie on points for second place in the NWSL standings, although the club remained fourth because of tiebreakers.
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