Gotham FC Returns Home Saturday to Host North Carolina in 2026 Home Opener

Defending NWSL champion Gotham FC will host the North Carolina Courage on Saturday evening at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET. ION will carry the national broadcast.

Gotham opened its title defense last weekend with a 1-0 road victory over expansion side Boston Legacy FC at Gillette Stadium. Esther González scored the match’s lone goal in the 55th minute, finishing a loose ball inside the box after a cross from Lilly Reale, the reigning NWSL Rookie of the Year, forced a defensive miscue. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger anchored the back line as Gotham secured the clean sheet.

González’s goal was her first of the 2026 season. The Spanish international led Gotham in NWSL regular-season scoring in 2025 with 13 goals, second-most in the league.

North Carolina also enters Saturday’s match with a victory, having defeated Racing Louisville FC 2-1 on Saturday in Cary. Ashley Sanchez scored both goals for the Courage, including the game-winner in the 86th minute.

Gotham enters the home opener unbeaten in its last five regular-season home matches and carries a 9-13-5 all-time record against the Courage. The two clubs split their 2025 regular-season meetings, with Gotham winning 3-1 the last time the sides met at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Gotham FC has won its last four home matches against North Carolina, matching the longest home winning streak by any team against the Courage in all NWSL competitions.