Gotham FC stoked to be writing history, moving franchise forward with Citi Field match

Mandy Freeman has seen quite a bit at Gotham FC.A decade with the club has brought more than 10,000 minutes, a rebrand from Sky Blue and two NWSL championships.But on Wednesday night, she will experience a first: witnessing her club step out in front of a packed Citi Field.“It hasn’t always been easy over the years,” Freeman said, “but being able to stick it out and stick it through is for these moments.”The Queens Classic, in which Gotham will host the Washington Spirit (8 p.m., ESPN) in front of more than 40,000 fans, is a big statement which head coach Juan Carlos Amorós called an “amazing opportunity.”“I think it’s a day that is definitely writing history for women’s soccer and women’s sport,” Amorós said.For Freeman, who was drafted in 2017, it’s another impressive example of the strides the franchise has made.Freeman and her teammates used to play in front of far more paltry crowds at Rutgers’ Yurcak Field, while the club recently announced plans for its first dedicated training facility.With Australian star Sam Kerr expected to make her second debut for the club Wednesday, Freeman and her again-teammate will be relishing the chance awaiting them.“Yeah, I was just talking to Sam about it — playing at Yurcak versus now playing at Citi Field,” Freeman revealed.“I think it’s just amazing to kind of be able to witness the rise from Sky Blue to Gotham and be a part of that journey.

And I think it’s well deserved.”This trip to Queens won’t merely be a one-off, as Gotham will permanently move across the street to New York City FC’s Etihad Park in 2028.Amorós urged his players to be “brave” and “creative” as he looks to win over new supporters.“We try to play that style of football that really makes the fans have fun, and that’s what we’re trying to do tomorrow,” he said.“Make sure that everyone that comes to Citi Field, they fall in love with the team and that they’re looking forward to check when...