Coming Off Record Attendance: Gotham FC faces Orlando Pride Wed. 6/7/23

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) fans are gearing up for what is expected to be a thrilling match between the Orlando Pride and the NJ / NY Gotham FC at the Red Bulls stadium in Harrison, New Jersey on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, with a 7:30 p.m. start as part of NWSL Challenge Cup.

The Orlando Pride is currently ranked 4th in the NWSL Group A Challenge Cup. On the other hand, the NJ / NY Gotham FC currently sits in 1st place in the NWSL Group A Challenge Cup standings.

The UKG National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup

The NWSL Challenge Cup, currently known as the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual tournament organized by NWSL in the United States. As the top-tier women's league in the country, the NWSL aims to showcase the best talent in women's soccer. The Challenge Cup provides an exciting platform for all NWSL teams to compete against each other, adding to the competitiveness and entertainment value of women's professional soccer.

Origin and Significance

The NWSL UKG Challenge Cup made its debut in 2020 as a one-off tournament in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first major professional sports league in the United States to resume operations following the pandemic-induced lockdowns. The tournament served as a symbol of resilience and the league's commitment to the sport's passionate fans.

Due to its immense success and positive reception, the NWSL decided to transform the Challenge Cup into an annual league cup competition. The event has since become an integral part of the NWSL calendar, fostering fierce competition among teams.

Attendance for NJ / NY Gotham FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC is coming off its Sunday game at the Red Bulls Arena where it welcomed over 15,000 fans to its home court.  The attendance was a club record for attendance and a significant accomplishment for the team.  Unfortunately, NJ/NY Gotham FC lost a 1-0 game against the San Diego Wave.  Both teams played well and the 1-0 win did not reflect how the intensity of the game and missed opportunities to score on both sides.

The estimate for attendance for the Wednesday NWSL UKG Challenge Cup is 5000 fans per a bulletin released by the Harrison Police Department. Because the game is on a weekday evening, rush hour traffic which is heavy already on a non-game day will be worse due to additional cars on the road. 

 Who is UKG?

UKG, is a leading global provider of human capital management (HCM) and workforce management solutions, has taken a significant step forward in supporting women's sports by sponsoring the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Challenge Cup. With this sponsorship, UKG aims to bridge the pay equity gap in women's soccer and contribute to the growth and development of the sport. Additionally, UKG's commitment to empowering organizations and individuals aligns seamlessly with its sponsorship of the NWSL Challenge Cup.

UKG is dedicated to providing comprehensive HCM and workforce management solutions to organizations of all sizes. Their mission is to help organizations empower their workforce, elevate the employee experience, and drive positive business outcomes. With a combination of industry-leading technology and unmatched expertise, UKG enables companies to optimize their human capital management strategies and achieve success.

The Pay Equity Gap in Women's Soccer

The issue of pay equity has long been a challenge in women's soccer. Female athletes have been consistently paid significantly less than their male counterparts, despite their achievements and contributions to the sport. Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, UKG has chosen to support women's soccer through its sponsorship of the NWSL Challenge Cup.

Bridging the Pay Equity Gap

UKG's sponsorship of the NWSL Challenge Cup signifies its commitment to bridging the pay equity gap in women's soccer. By investing in the tournament and supporting the athletes, UKG aims to raise awareness and promote discussions around pay equity in sports. The company's financial support helps ensure that the players receive fair compensation for their dedication, skill, and performance, thereby promoting gender equality within the sport.

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