Gotham FC’s backline suffered a blow when defender Kayla Duran was placed on the season-ending injury list on Friday.

Last Saturday, Duran went down clutching her right knee in the 13th minute of Gotham’s 2-1 away defeat to the Kansas City Current. She was replaced by captain Tierna Davidson in the 18th minute.

Since joining Gotham on July 14, 2025, Duran has made 19 total appearances across all competitions for the Bats. Duran has provided versatility by lining up at right-back and center-back.

The 26-year-old was rewarded for her contributions in late February when the club handed her a contract extension that runs through the 2027 season.

Gotham general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West stated that the club will help Duran in every way possible throughout her recovery process.

“Our hearts are with Kayla,” Averbuch West said. “She will have our full support every step of the way in her recovery, and we know she will return stronger.”

Gotham FC’s Defensive Depth Takes Hit

Gotham has been forced to contend with several injuries throughout the young season, and Davidson is yet to start following a long recovery from a torn ACL suffered last March.

Duran’s absence places further strain on the backline. Bruninha has missed time due to a hamstring injury, while Mandy Freeman has been sidelined with a lower leg injury.

The Bats have experimented with Midge Purce and Sarah Schupansky as emergency right-backs in response to the pile-up of injuries.

With little more than two weeks between today and Gotham’s next match against the Bay FC on April 25, the Bats could desperately use some positive news on the injury front.

Should Davidson make a return to the starting XI and Bruninha or Freeman are available for selection, it will go a long way toward solving the injury crisis.

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