Gotham FC has continued to be a relentless winning machine under the leadership of head coach Juan Carlos Amorós.
The 42-year-old Spaniard has delivered four major trophies since taking charge of the Bats in November 2022, but one trophy that has eluded him is the NWSL Shield.
But that can change on Sunday evening’s Decision Day. If Gotham wins or draws against the visiting Utah Royals, Amorós and his players will clinch the No. 1 playoff seed and treat supporters to a postmatch NWSL Shield raising ceremony at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
When asked about a grueling season that began with a January camp in Spain and has spanned four different competitions across multiple continents, as well as the challenges posed by several season-ending injuries, major roster alterations and staff departures, Amorós explained what it takes to win amid challenging circumstances.
Amorós Explains Gotham FC’s Winning Culture
“That’s Gotham,” Amorós replied. “That’s what it says – that in Gotham, we’ve been able to build a culture of winning, where even winning is not enough. We have to do it in a certain way. Every player and staff member that comes into the equation understands that and knows that we need to give an extra percentage on top of that. We do it with a fantastic group of people around us. I think the group of players, it’s outstanding the connection they have between themselves and how they support each other.”
Amorós credited his technical staff and the entire Gotham organization for their meticulous attention to detail.
“I’m privileged to have a fantastic technical team that I’m happy to lead every day,” he said. “They kill themselves to try to get every detail, to take care of everything. Everyone else — medical, performance, media, comms, management — everyone is pushing in the same direction. We’ve been doing it since Jan. 2 and to be in the position that we are in, it feels special because that is what it takes.”
Mandy Freeman on the NWSL Shield: ‘It’s Been a Goal Since the End of Last Season’
A loss by second-place San Diego Wave FC to Bay FC would also hand the Shield to Gotham.
The possibility of lifting the Shield is particularly meaningful to Gotham’s longest-serving player, defender Mandy Freeman, who is in her 10th year with the club.
“I think it’s really important,” Freeman said. “It’s been a goal of ours since the end of last season that we want to finish top of the table. It was going to take everybody and it was going to take a year’s worth of work, day in and day out, getting results throughout every game. To be able to be in this point where we’re fighting for the Shield is exactly what we’d hoped going into it. The win is what’s on our mind.”
Latest Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Sunday’s Gotham-Royals Match
It’s unclear whether Gotham’s star duo of Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw will participate in the Decision Day season finale. Amorós described both players as “questionable” during Saturday’s press conference.
“I think we’re going to have to wait,” Amorós said. “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 Gotham’s 2-1 road victory over the Orlando Pride on October 25.
Defenders Bruninha, Kayla Duran and Emily Sonnett, as well as rookie forward Jordynn Dudley, remain on the season-ending injury list. Midfielder Sofia Cook was removed from the availability report as she appears to have recovered from a lingering ankle injury.
OUT: Bruninha (knee — SEI), Jordynn Dudley (foot — SEI), Kayla Duran (knee — SEI), Emily Sonnett (knee — SEI)
QUESTIONABLE: Rose Lavelle (neck), Jaedyn Shaw (knee)
Utah has five confirmed absences, including former Gotham forward Cece Delzer.
OUT: Cece Delzer (thigh), Alex Loera (knee — SEI), Narumi Miura (thigh), KK Ream (knee — SEI), Mina Tanaka (hamstring)
Full lineups from both clubs will be posted closer to kickoff.
Sunday’s contest against Utah is scheduled for a 5 p.m. Eastern Time start. The match will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
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