NJ/NY Gotham FC v. Portland Thorns Fri. Sept. 26, ‘25 @SI Stadium

The stage is set for a pivotal late-season showdown in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) when NJ/NY Gotham FC hosts the Portland Thorns at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison on Friday, September 26, 2025, with kickoff scheduled at 8:00 pm. The match carries weight in the playoff race, and fans should expect a competitive battle under the lights.

The Teams: Background & Stakes

Portland Thorns FC

The Portland Thorns are one of the flagship clubs of the NWSL, based in Portland, Oregon. They play their home matches at Providence Park, located in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, a stadium they share with the MLS side Portland Timbers.

Originally built decades ago and reconfigured for soccer, Providence Park’s seated capacity was expanded in 2019 to 25,218 seats to better serve the Thorns’ strong fanbase. The Thorns have been among the most consistent and high-profile clubs in the league, with strong attendance, deep community support, and multiple championship runs over the years.

In the 2025 season, Portland is competing vigorously for a playoff spot. As of September 22, 2025, the Thorns held 4th place in the league standings with a record of 8 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses, totaling 31 points.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC is the NWSL club representing the New Jersey / New York region. The club’s origins date back to earlier franchises (notably as Sky Blue FC), and it rebranded and repositioned itself in recent years to broaden its appeal in both New Jersey and New York markets. The club’s colors and crest combine New York and New Jersey symbolism, with dual representation in the name “NJ/NY.”

Gotham FC plays its home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey (formerly known as Red Bull Arena). The stadium seats 25,000 spectators, making it one of the larger soccer-specific venues in the U.S. Gotham is owned by a consortium including notable individuals and is coached by Juan Carlos Amorós.

As of September 22, 2025, Gotham sat in 3rd place in the NWSL standings, also with 31 points, on the same record line of 8–7–6, but ahead of Portland on tiebreakers (goal differential) or other metrics in the league table. Gotham has been in strong form and is pushing for home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Because both teams are separated only by tiebreakers, their meeting in Harrison could have direct implications on seeding and home ground advantage in the postseason.

Matchday Logistics & Local Notes

• Venue & Atmosphere
  Sports Illustrated Stadium (Harrison, NJ) is a modern, soccer-specific facility with a transparent partial roof and good acoustics.The stadium is located about 7 miles west of Lower Manhattan, across the Passaic River from Newark.
• Traffic & Parking Alert
  Given the expected interest for a late-season, high-stakes match, the Harrison Police Department is likely to issue a Traffic & Parking Bulletin advising motorists and fans about road closures, recommended arrival windows, shuttle services, and restricted parking zones. This is standard procedure for major events in Harrison to ease congestion and ensure safety.
• Attendance & Surrounding Events
  While final attendance for the match is not known in advance, past Gotham matches have drawn healthy crowds, with playoff fixtures in the past attracting over 15,000 fans. Also worth noting: the next match at the stadium (the following day, Saturday) will feature an MLS fixture—New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union—bringing additional traffic considerations in the area.

Season Context & Implications

This game is part of a crucial closing stretch for both squads. Gotham enters it with momentum from a strong recent run, while Portland must defend its position and perhaps overturn tiebreakers for favorable playoff placement. Because Gotham and Portland both carry 31 points into this match, the result could swing the tiebreaker and determine which side holds the upper hand in the playoff bracket. A Gotham win would strengthen their hold on 3rd place; a Thorns victory could flip the seeding.

Fans in attendance will witness a game with playoff tension built in—not just a regular-season match.

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