Gotham FC enter Sunday’s Decision Day clash against the Utah Royals with an opportunity to clinch a first-ever NWSL Shield in club history.
Should the Bats earn a win or a draw against Utah in front of home fans at Sports Illustrated Stadium, it will be enough to earn Gotham the Shield and the No. 1 playoff seed.
A loss or draw by second-place San Diego Wave FC against Bay FC would also guarantee the Shield and top seed for Gotham.
Amorós Provides Update on Lavelle, Shaw Availability
It’s unclear if star duo Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw will be available for selection on Decision Day. Though both players have been involved in light training, Lavelle is dealing with a neck injury while Shaw has been slowed by a knee injury.
“I think we’re going to have to wait,” Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said during Saturday’s press conference. “So probably I would say it’s questionable at the moment. They’ve been training a little bit, but it’s still probably early to make a call on those two.”
Shaw most recently played in a 1-1 draw against Angel City FC on October 4, while Lavelle most recently played for 89 minutes in a 1-0 road defeat to the Washington Spirit on October 17.
Both players were held out of last Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the Orlando Pride at Inter.co Stadium.
Gotham FC to Host Quarterfinal on November 8
Regardless of how Gotham fares against Utah, the Bats are assured of a top-two playoff seed and the ability to host the quarterfinals as well as a semifinal home date should they advance to the second round.
Gotham will open their title defense on Sunday, November 8 at Sports Illustrated Stadium with their quarterfinal match against an opponent to be determined based on how the Decision Day standings finish. The quarterfinal match will kick off at either 12:30 or 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
As for this weekend, Sunday’s contest against Utah is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start, with the match being carried nationally on ESPN.
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