This week on The IX Sports Podcast Soccer Edition, host Kathleen Gier walks listeners through developments across the National Women\u2019s Soccer League (NWSL). <\/p>\n
The top story this week is that Gotham FC will be getting their own stadium in New York City. The team has played at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, since 2020, but will make the move across the Hudson to play at Etihad Park in Queens beginning in 2028. The venue is the first soccer-specific park in New York City, and is set to have a capacity of about 25,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this move for Gotham,\u201d Gier said. She echoed comments from NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, who pointed out the importance of dedicated spaces. The importance of those spaces has been made even more clear this year, with facility-sharing arrangements that had to be negotiated to accommodate the Men\u2019s FIFA World Cup. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut as we continue to kind of run into scheduling conflicts, or even just not having dedicated spaces, I think that the league will only get better from here, as they\u2019re able to control their own schedules, control their own training environments. And it\u2019s what these players deserve,\u201d Gier said. <\/p>\n
Gier then jumped into a recap of the NWSL\u2019s return from the summer break due to the Men\u2019s FIFA World Cup. <\/p>\n
The biggest surprise of the weekend, Gier said, came from the Chicago Stars, who defeated the Utah Royals, ending the club\u2019s 10-match win streak. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould this be a breakthrough for Chicago? Maybe. We\u2019ll see. It\u2019s definitely something that they\u2019ve been waiting for \u2026 but Chicago, again, one of those teams that has a lot of really great pieces, but just hasn\u2019t been able to put it together,\u201d Gier said.<\/p>\n
She added that she sees Chicago coming from behind to win the match as a good sign.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shows a lot of patience on the side of their offense, but also a really strong statement for their defense. They do give up those two goals, but then they\u2019re able to hold out, let the offense score, and then let the offense finally take that lead in stoppage time. So, definitely interested to see what the Chicago team is able to do, maybe a little bit of momentum from this match,\u201d Gier said. <\/p>\n
Tune in to the episode to hear more about league\u2019s current standings and how the Kansas City Current are looking after their loss to Gotham in the Challenge Cup.<\/p>\n
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast<\/a> for in-depth coverage of women\u2019s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women\u2019s Sports Daily<\/a>, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.<\/p>\n