Gotham FC are set to be without reliable defender Emily Sonnett for an extended stretch after she recently underwent surgery.
According to acting head coach Shaun Harris, the 32-year-old either had surgery on Tuesday morning or Monday.
Harris Confirms That Sonnett Underwent Surgery
“I think her surgery was this morning or yesterday,” Harris said during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.
Sonnett suffered an apparent left knee injury in last Friday’s 2-2 draw in Portland. In the seventh minute, she went down with a non-contact injury.
“She’s gone back to do the scans and see the docs, so I haven’t had an update yet,” Harris stated on Tuesday. “She’s not going to be with us for this trip. We’re really gutted and devastated that we’re losing such a key player at this moment in the season, but we wish her all the best.”
The United States international was stretchered off in the 11th minute of last Friday’s match and was replaced by veteran defender Mandy Freeman.
How Will Gotham Handle Sonnett’s Absence?
Injuries have plagued Gotham’s back line throughout the 2026 season. The Bats are currently down to four healthy natural defenders in captain Tierna Davidson, Jess Carter, Mandy Freeman and right-back Bruninha. Winger Guro Reiten has spent the majority of the season playing left-back.
Kayla Duran is out for the rest of the 2026 campaign after she suffered a season-ending ACL injury on April 4 in Kansas City.
It’s possible that defensive midfielders Jaelin Howell, Savannah McCaskill or Denise O’Sullivan could be drafted into center-back duty at some point, given Gotham’s thin defensive depth.
Gotham will next face Bay FC on Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern Time at PayPal Park.
More updates on Sonnett’s timetable are expected to come later in the week. Stay tuned to South Ward Central for further updates…
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