After lifting the NWSL Challenge Cup last Friday, Gotham FC turn its attention back to league play on the Fourth of July.
The Bats will enter Saturday’s contest against San Diego Wave FC in sixth place, but a victory over first-place San Diego would put Gotham one point away from top spot in the NWSL standings.
Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós has prepared his players for a difficult challenge as the two sides will vie for possession and control at Snapdragon Stadium.
Gotham Ready for Tough Test in San Diego
“San Diego has done really well this year,” Amorós said during Friday’s pre-match press conference. “We know they’re a team that tries to play with the ball, similar to us in that aspect. We’re going to have to be very strong mentally because that approach is different from a lot of other teams in the league.
“Playing away from home, it’s a difficult place to come. We know it’s going to take every single one of us to make sure we can control and dominate the game. We know that’s going to be really difficult, but it’s going to be a very good football match. The whole San Diego team has really stepped up, and it’s going to be a great game.”
The Wave most recently secured a 2-0 road victory over Chicago Stars FC on May 31. Brazil international Dudinha was placed on the Season-Ending Injury list on Friday. The 20-year-old tore her right ACL and meniscus against the United States on June 9.
“I want to send our best wishes to Dudinha,” Amorós stated. “She’s been fantastic for them, and unfortunately, she got injured on international duty. We never like to see that. She’s been brilliant.”
San Diego will also be without forward Cat Macario (heel) and midfielder-defender Kiki Pickett (ankle) as both were ruled out for Saturday’s game. On Friday, the Wave signed midfielder/defender Tatum Wynalda to a short-term injury replacement contract that will run through the end of the season.
Savannah McCaskill Returns to Face Former Club
Former San Diego midfielder Savannah McCaskill will visit her former club for the first time since rejoining Gotham on January 2.
“It’s always interesting playing against teams you’ve played for before because, to a certain degree, you know the tendencies and the system,” McCaskill explained. “At the same time, they also know you. It becomes a little bit of a mental battle.
“You’re thinking they know I like to do this, so maybe I’ll do something different. San Diego is a great matchup for us because they like to play in a very similar way. It’ll either be a really cagey match where nobody wants to give the ball away because we both like to be on the ball, or it’ll be really exciting and you’ll see some really good football from both teams — I think that’s probably what’s going to happen.”
Jordynn Dudley Brings Red-Hot Form Into San Diego Matchup
Gotham forward Jordynn Dudley has continued to prove why she is a contender for the NWSL Rookie of the Year award.
The 21-year-old weaved and dazzled her way to an outstanding goal that sealed Gotham’s 2-0 NWSL Challenge Cup victory over the Kansas City Current.
Among all NWSL players with at least 450 minutes played, Dudley ranks second in the league with 8.3 penalty area touches per 90 minutes, sixth with 3.2 shots per 90 minutes and third with 1.6 shots on target per 90.
Bruninha Could See Match Action for the First Time Since February
Gotham could be boosted by the potential return of right-back Bruninha, who recovered from a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old Brazilian is available for selection for the first time since February 1 in the third-place game of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup against AS FAR.
It will also be Gotham’s first match without veteran forward Katie Lampson after she stepped away from the game and announced her retirement on Tuesday.
Midfielder Taryn Torres remains on the Season-Ending Injury list but has been training at full speed and is closing in on returning from a long-term knee injury, while defender Kayla Duran will miss the rest of the season due to a season-ending right ACL injury.
Forward Mak Whitham is away on international duty with the United States Under-17 women’s national team. The 15-year-old scored in the 94th-minute of Friday’s 5-3 defeat to Japan at Chiba’s Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field. The USWNT U-17 team and the Japan women’s national under-17 football team will meet again on July 6 in Chiba.
Star signing Sam Kerr will not be eligible to play for Gotham until the July 15 Queens Classic due to NWSL rules that prevent her from being registered until July 14.
Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. Eastern Time. ION will carry the national broadcast of a match that could provide plenty of Fourth of July fireworks.
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