Utah Royals at NJ/NY Gotham FC Sports Illustrated Stadium Sat. 8/23/25

Under the lights at the imposing Sports Illustrated Stadium, NJ/NY Gotham FC is set to host a high-stakes National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) showdown against the Utah Royals on Saturday, August 23, 2025, with a 7:30 p.m. start. Here’s what fans need to know ahead of kickoff.

Utah Royals: Rising Returnees

The Utah Royals—reintroduced to the NWSL in 2024 after a hiatus—bring a renewed sense of ambition to the pitch. Originally founded on November 16, 2017, as an expansion side, the club suspended operations in 2020 but was reborn by owners including Ryan Smith and David Blitzer and began play again in 2024. Last time they were in New Jersey, the stadium they are playing in on Saturday was called the Red Bull Arena.

Utah Royals home matches are played at America First Field, a soccer-specific stadium located in Sandy, Utah (just outside Salt Lake City), with a seating capacity of approximately 20,213. The club also boasts a cutting-edge training home at the SharkNinja Performance Center, providing top-tier facilities including hydrotherapy, a weight room, and recovery areas.

On the field, the Utah Royals have struggled this season. As of their most recent outing, they sit near the bottom of the NWSL standings, posting a record of 1 win, 11 losses, and 4 draws, placing them 14th among 14 teams with just 7 points.

NJ/NY Gotham FC: Metropolitans with Momentum

NJ/NY Gotham FC, founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue and a founding member of the NWSL since 2013, carries a rich history that includes a 2009 WPS Championship and a triumphant NWSL Championship in 2023. They also claimed the CONCACAF W Champions Cup in the 2024–25 season.

The club plays its home games at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The stadium holds roughly 25,000 spectators. Under the leadership of head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, Gotham FC continues to establish itself as a force in the league.

Gotham FC Fun Fest Starts @ 5 p.m.

League Standings Snapshot

Here’s how both clubs rank in the 2025 NWSL regular-season standings:

•  Utah Royals: 14th (last place) — with a record of 1‑11‑4 and 7 points
•  NJ/NY Gotham FC: 8th place, having achieved a record of 5 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws, earning them 20 points and a spot currently near the playoff cutoff

Matchday Logistics

With the game scheduled for a busy Saturday evening, local officials expect heightened traffic and parking demand. The Harrison Police Department is anticipated to release a Traffic and Parking Bulletin with guidance to help fans navigate the area around Sports Illustrated Stadium.

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