Harrison, NJ (June 22, 2023) – Gotham FC (5-4-3) returns home to host the Chicago Red Stars (3-8-1) at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, June 25 (5:30 p.m. ET, Paramount+ and MSG Network). The match will commemorate Juneteenth and will serve as a FIFA Women’s World Cup sendoff that celebrates Gotham FC’s players before they shine on the international stage.
The excitement at Red Bull Arena this Sunday will reverberate on and off the field, as fans in attendance will join the club’s celebrations of Juneteenth with the singing of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice,” as well as the “Star Spangled Banner.” NWSL players for both teams will wear a custom Juneteenth T-shirt, designed in partnership with the Black Women’s Player Collective, for pre-match walkouts.
The Juneteenth T-shirt will also be available for purchase on NWSLShop.com. A portion of all net proceeds will go to both the BWPC and MPJI in support of each organization’s respective initiatives and advocacy work.
In addition, the match will celebrate Gotham FCs players who have already been named to represent their countries in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer, including: Kristie Mewis (USA), Kelley O’Hara (USA), Ifeoma Onumonu (Nigeria).
Sunday’s match will be Gotham FC’s 29th meeting all-time with Chicago across all competitions, and the team’s second this season. The May 7 meeting between these two clubs resulted in a 2-1 victory for Gotham FC following rookie sensation Jenna Nighswonger’s first career NWSL goal and game-winner scored by forward Lynn Williams. The all-time, all-competition record between the two teams is 13-5-10 and 10-4-10 in the regular season.
Currently occupying sixth place in the NWSL regular season standings, Gotham FC will see this week's match as pivotal in its efforts to climb back up the standings. Gotham FC has three more regular season games and one Challenge Cup game before the season takes a pause for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Tickets for the June 25 match can be PURCHASED HERE. Fans can also visit GothamFC.com or Ticketmaster.com to secure seats to every Gotham FC home match this season at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
Leading up to the match on Sunday, Gotham FC and its players have enjoyed an exciting week of festivities and announcements.
On Tuesday, June 20, at the top of the Empire State Building, Gotham FC signed Olympic medalist, three-time National Women’s Soccer League champion, and former league MVP Lynn Williams to a new multi-year contract that will keep the forward with the club through the 2025 season. After joining Gotham FC via NWSL Draft-day trade this year, Williams has scored six goals in 12 games, has been named to the league’s Best XI in consecutive months, and is at three-time NWSL Player of the Week.
On Wednesday, June 21, live on the Today Show, Gotham FC midfielder Kristie Mewis, defender Kelley O'Hara, and forward Lynn Williams were the first three players named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The trio joins Gotham FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu, who will represent Nigeria, while midfielder/forward Sinead Farrelly has been named to the provisional roster for Ireland, and defender Bruninha is among the hopefuls to be named to Brazil.
Today, on Friday, June 23, the New York Yankees will welcome Williams to throw out the first pitch before their game against the Texas Rangers at 7 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx.
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