Former Chelsea forward Sam Kerr began her second spell at Gotham FC in front of a record crowd for a women's sporting event in New York City, as more than 42,000 fans watched the side beat Washington Spirit 1-0 at Citi Field. The occasion marks a significant moment for both Kerr, who previously played for the club between 2015 and 2017 when it was known as Sky Blue FC, and for the NWSL, which is seeking to demonstrate growing demand for women's football in the United States.

The official attendance of 42,715 at the New York Mets' home ground far exceeds Gotham's previous best of 15,560 in 2024, though it remains short of the NWSL record of 63,000 set when Denver Summit played Washington Spirit at Denver Broncos' Empower Field last March. Kerr came on as a second-half substitute, with American midfielder Rose Lavelle scoring the winning goal in the first half. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman described the turnout as proof that investment drives attendance, adding it marks the start of a lasting relationship for the club, which is set to move to Etihad Park in Queens to share a ground with MLS side New York City FC.