FAA Ground Stop Disrupts KC Current Travel for NWSL Semifinal
The Kansas City Current boarded a charter to New York for Sunday's NWSL semifinal against Gotham FC, then got off again when an FAA ground stop turned indefinite. Gotham had already moved the match to Icahn Stadium because of poor pitch conditions at its usual home.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop on Friday disrupted the Kansas City Current's travel to New York for their National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) semifinal against Gotham FC on Sunday. The KC Current vs Gotham match is set for 3 p.m. ET at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island.
The Current planned to fly by charter on Friday evening and boarded shortly before the ground stop, according to a source with knowledge of the team's travel plans who asked not to be named. The team got off the plane once it became clear the delay was indefinite.
"We are collaborating with key stakeholders, including the NWSL and our charter partner, to identify next steps in order to arrive safely ahead of our match against Gotham FC on Sunday," a Current spokesperson said.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a social media post that FAA technicians were investigating a "communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers."
The other semifinalists were not affected. The Utah Royals, who were to face the Washington Spirit at noon ET on Saturday, traveled Thursday, a Royals spokesperson confirmed.
The U.S. men's national soccer team's Saturday match against Haiti in Miami also stayed on schedule. A spokesperson for Concacaf, the regional governing body, said both teams and the match officials were already in Miami. "Everyone is already on-site, and the match will proceed as scheduled," the spokesperson said.
Travel was not the only problem for the semifinalists. Gotham and the Spirit earned hosting rights last weekend, and the league and clubs then had to scramble for venues.
Gotham moved its home game from Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey to Icahn Stadium in New York because of poor pitch conditions. The club is offering complimentary transportation to the 5,000-seat venue for fans in the New York area.
The Spirit negotiated with D.C. United and organizers of the Secretaries' Cup, an annual NCAA Division III college football game between the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The Spirit play at Audi Field ahead of that game, which starts at about 4:30 p.m. ET.
The field is lined in yellow for NWSL and white for football, so crews avoid repainting between games. The bases for the field goal posts are in place and padded during the soccer match.
Kansas City reached the semifinals by beating Angel City FC in the quarterfinals. Gotham aims to make league history, while the Current and the Spirit are both trying to avenge losses from last postseason.
Rose Lavelle's Gotham host Temwa Chawinga's Kansas City on Sunday, November 15. ABC carries the match in English, with ESPN Deportes in Spanish, and ABC is free over the air.
The winners of both semifinals advance to the NWSL Championship, scheduled for Saturday, November 21, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
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