Gotham FC v. Seattle Reign FC Sun. Oct. 5, ’25 @ SI Stadium

Mark your calendars: the NJ/NY Gotham FC will host the Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison. It’s the kind of marquee match fans circle weeks ahead, and this one carries extra intrigue.

Two Big Matches, Two Big Days

This weekend in Harrison is shaping up to be a soccer bonanza. On Saturday, October 4, the New York Red Bulls will take the pitch in their own clash. But all eyes will shift eastward the next day for Gotham’s face-off against a resurgent Reign side. The back-to-back scheduling underscores the growing momentum and interest in the region’s pro soccer scene.

Another wrinkle: the Gotham FC match kicks off unusually early at 4 p.m., rather than the more typical 5:00 or 7:30 p.m. starts for many NWSL showdowns. Fans hoping to catch both the Red Bulls match and then make it to Harrison should budget travel time accordingly.

Team Form & Rankings

Heading into this Sunday’s clash, both sides are in the playoff mix, with Gotham holding a slight edge:

• NJ/NY Gotham FC sits 3rd in the NWSL standings with a 9-7-6 record and +13 goal differential.
• Seattle Reign FC is hot on their heels in 4th place, with a 9-6-7 ledger and a more modest goal differential.

According to recent NWSL power rankings after Matchday 22, Gotham leapt to 3rd, while Seattle edged up into 4th after a dramatic comeback win over NC Courage. That narrow gap in standings sets the stage for what could be a pivotal late-season tilt.

Seattle Reign’s Home & Capacity Profile

Though the match is in New Jersey, knowing a bit about the Reign’s home ground adds useful context.

• Stadium Name & Location
  Since the 2022 season, OL Reign has called Lumen Field in Seattle (SoDo neighborhood) its home.
• Lumen Field also hosts NFL’s Seahawks and MLS’s Sounders. Seating Capacity & Matchday Configuration
  The full seating capacity of Lumen Field is 68,740. For Reign matches, though, a reduced configuration is normally used, seating around 10,000 fans. That means while the stadium is massive, only a fraction is routinely opened for women’s soccer events, likely for atmosphere and demand reasons.

Thus, when Seattle’s fans travel to New Jersey, they’ll bring the spirit of their home fortress even though the crowd won’t be large enough to fill Lumen.

Traffic, Parking & Public Safety

Given the scale of a Gotham FC home match—especially on a Sunday evening with a relatively early kickoff—the Harrison Police Department is expected to issue a Traffic & Parking Bulletin ahead of the game.

Expect notices about:

• road closures and detours around the stadium
• restricted or reserved parking zones
• recommended drop-off points and shuttle services
• timing advisories for arrival (especially given the 4 p.m. start)

Fans are advised to arrive early, follow signage, and heed police directions. With two soccer events in Harrison over the weekend, local traffic will already be under strain heading into Sunday.

Keys to the Match

• Gotham’s Home Edge: Playing in the Sports Illustrated Stadium gives Gotham a strong base, with home supporters likely to push early.
• Seattle’s Tenacity: The Reign have shown the ability to rally late and grind out results, as their recent comeback wins suggest.
• Pace & Fitness: Given the compressed schedule in September and October, fitness and substitutions might decide the outcome.
• Set Pieces & Defense: With both teams fairly matched in attack, set plays and defensive solidity could tip the balance.

With playoff implications on the line, a 4:00 p.m. start, and the backdrop of a Red Bulls match the night before, Sunday’s Gotham vs. Seattle showdown promises drama. If you’re planning to attend you’ll want to line up your timing, parking plan, and spirit early

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