Kansas City mayor calls out Red Bulls over relocation of Gotham-Current NWSL playoff match

Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas seemed to have the same reaction many Gotham FC fans did to the relocation debacle of its semifinal match against the Kansas City Current on Sunday. 

The defending NWSL champs are being forced to move from their normal home at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, to the 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island due to the poor field conditions at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the home of MLS’ Red Bull New York.

Gotham is a tenant at SI Stadium, which is owned by the Red Bulls. 

The decision has infuriated Gotham fans, initially over the NWSL club moving locations due to a Red Bulls friendly and then over the horrid field conditions that forced the game to Randall’s Island. 

Lucas took issue with a statement the Red Bulls issued over the need for Gotham to move their game and the small size of the stadium that Gotham and Kansas City will play in for Sunday’s semifinals. 

“First of all — gross statement from Red Bull New York,” he wrote in a post on X. “Second, isn’t there a bigger venue that better honors ticket purchasers in NYC, even the football stadium at Columbia University that has no scheduling conflict this weekend?”

The Red Bulls declined to comment on Lucas’ social media post. 

In the initial statement, an RBNY spokesperson said: “We wish Gotham FC the best of luck in their semifinal at Icahn Stadium. We look forward to our match on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium.”

While the seating capacity of the stadium on Randall’s Island means Gotham could miss out on ticket sales, Icahn Stadium does provide solid facilities. The field is a “FIFA-certified, professional-level Kentucky bluegrass soccer pitch,” according to its website, and New York City FC donated $3 million two years ago to upgrade the stadium. 

The pitch at Sports Illustrated Stadium was lambasted by players and coaches from both sides following Gotham’s 1-0 win over the Seattle Reign on Sunday. 

A Red Bulls spokesperson defended the condition of the pitch at Sports Illustrated Stadium in a statement released Monday evening. 

“We understand how frustrating the move is for Gotham and their fans. We had hoped to see Gotham continue its championship run at Sports Illustrated Stadium, too,” Red Bull New York spokesperson Andrew Vazzano said. “We invest in the pitch year-round, with a dedicated grounds team and specialist field partners, and it was cleared for every match played there this season. Those inspections continue for all remaining events this year.

“We worked closely with Gotham and the NWSL to address their concerns, but unfortunately the experts and the league couldn’t guarantee the additional work they wanted to be completed could be done in time. We wish Gotham the best in their match.”

Pitch quality has been a concern even before the playoff match, with NWSL fining the club $10,000 because of it after the club’s regular season finale.