Gotham FC celebrates 2023 championship with home-opener record attendance

(Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta | USA TODAY Sports)

HARRISON, N.J. — Although the 2024 season is well underway, NJ/NY Gotham FC paid homage to its 2023 National Women’s Soccer League championship at the team’s home opener Sunday night. 

Even before the match, all eyes were on celebrating Gotham’s historic championship. Fans could take photos not only with the league’s first-ever Tiffany-designed trophy, but with last year’s captain, Ali Krieger. The decorated defender, who retired after last season, greeted fans as they filed in for Gotham’s first home game of the season.

During the match’s opening ceremony, Krieger personally walked the trophy onto the field to raucous applause and cheers from fans who had waited almost six months to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 season. 

Addressing the fans, Krieger made sure to let the crowd know just how pivotal their support was to the team’s 2023 success. She led a countdown as the team unveiled a permanent fixture in the rafters at Red Bull Arena memorializing the team’s championship in the stadium they call home.