​Former Chelsea forward Sam Kerr began her second spell with Gotham FC in front of the largest ever crowd for a women’s sporting event in New York City.Over 42,000 fans turned out at Citi Field for Gotham’s 1-0 victory against Washington Spirt in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUsually home to Major League Baseball team the New York Mets, the official attendance was announced as a sell-out 42,715.Kerr, who came on as a second-half substitute, played for Gotham between 2015 and 2017 when they were known as Sky Blue FC.”In many ways this is like a full circle ​moment with Sam Kerr coming here and being able to experience this on her first night,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said.American midfielder Rose Lavelle scored the winner in the first half.Gotham’s previous best attendance for a game was 15,560 in 2024 and the record crowd for a NWSL game remains the 63,000 who watched the Denver Summit play the Spirit at the NFL Denver Broncos’ home Empower Field last March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGotham recently announced they will move from Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey to Etihad Park in Queens, a ground they will share with MLS outfit New York City.The move is said to be designed to help Gotham become accessible to more fans.Record buy O’Sullivan leaves Liverpool for GothamBirmingham sign Man Utd’s Turner and NaalsundLondon City sign Diani for more than £500,000″We know that ​with investment, if you build it, they will come. And this is a proof point for that,” Berman said.”My favourite thing about tonight is that it isn’t transactional. It’s not a one and done. This is the beginning of a ​new relationship for this team in Queens.”Kerr’s return to New York had a large turnout despite a thick layer of smoke that hung in the air from recent wildfires in Ontario, Canada.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is due to take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, but soaring temperatures are expected to fall by then and organisers expect the smoke to clear as well.Citi Field is the home of the New York Mets [Getty Images]USA international Rose Lavelle scored the winner in the first half [Getty Images][BBC]New episodes of Women’s Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feedGet the latest WSL news on our dedicated page