As season four of Ted Lasso focuses on the women’s game, Gotham FC stars got a taste of The Richmond Way when the show’s cast dropped in at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Friday and witnessed the Bats’ 1-0 victory over San Diego Wave FC.
After Jaedyn Shaw’s curling effort decided the match, Ted Lasso actors Hannah Waddingham, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Jude Mack and Abbie Hern posed for on-pitch photos with Gotham FC’s technical staff, president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West, Rose Lavelle, Jaelin Howell, Andrea Kitahata, Teagan Wy and recent signing Meredith Speck.
The cast also performed the pre-match flame lighting ceremony and received custom Gotham “Lady Liberty” third jerseys from defender Kayla Duran, Wy and club governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett.
Gotham FC Stars Attend Ted Lasso Season 4 Premiere
Earlier in the week, Gotham players got to walk along the red carpet at Apple TV’s Ted Lasso season four New York premiere held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater on Tuesday.
Rookie of the Year candidate Jordynn Dudley, Mandy Freeman, Taryn Torres, Sarah Schupansky, Sofia Cook, Duran, Kitahata, Wy and Tisch Blodgett were among Gotham’s representation for the glitzy premiere event.
“It was really cool,” Dudley said. “We got to dress up, and it was really fun. I love that this new season is about women’s soccer. It’s going to be great, and it’s going to show so many things that people don’t necessarily know about behind the scenes.”
Sudeikis, Waddingham, Hunt, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Phil Dunster and Tanya Reynolds were among the cast members who attended the premiere.
Gotham was treated to the first two episodes of season four, “Home” and “Curiouser and Curiouser!”
“I saw Jason and Juno from afar,” Dudley recalled. “I didn’t get to meet them, but it was cool to see everyone there.”
Ted Lasso Season 4 Puts NWSL in the Spotlight
Acting head coach Shaun Harris, who hails from East London, hopes that the beloved comedy-drama will bring more attention to the stars and teams of the NWSL.
“It’s about getting a lot more eyes on the league, seeing the teams and seeing the players,” Harris said on Thursday. “I’m not too familiar with how everything works with Ted Lasso as a whole, but I know it’s obviously very big and very popular. The more eyes we can get on the women’s game and on the NWSL, the better it’s going to be for everyone.”
Although goalkeeper Shelby Hogan is pleased to see the NWSL prominently highlighted throughout the fourth season, “Home” featured a scene where two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chaŵinga scored in a 2-1 victory over Gotham at CPKC Stadium last season on October 11.
“Obviously, it’s really cool that the NWSL was mentioned throughout this season of Ted Lasso,” Hogan told South Ward Central. “I think it was huge for the club. Obviously, we would have liked to be highlighted in more of a positive way.”
Gotham Set for Another Showdown With Kansas City
As Hogan pointed out, the Bats would go on to prevail over the Current in the 2025 NWSL playoff quarterfinals through a dramatic 121st-minute goal by Katie Lampson. Gotham would become the first eighth seed in NWSL history to win the NWSL Championship.
“We got a couple of wins against them after that game, but yeah, it’s huge that the NWSL is getting highlighted and getting the recognition it deserves on such a global stage,” Hogan said.
Back on June 26 of this season, Gotham defeated the Current in the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. Goals from Esther González and Dudley sealed the 2-0 victory and the Bats’ first-ever NWSL Challenge Cup title.
Gotham and the Current will renew their rivalry on Friday, August 14, when the sides meet at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Kickoff for Friday’s contest is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and the match will be carried on Prime Video.
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