Gotham FC defender Lilly Reale will be available for selection when the Bats take on Chicago Stars FC on Wednesday night at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
The 22-year-old was removed from the NWSL Availability Report. Reale missed Saturday’s 3-0 home victory over Bay FC due to a lower-leg injury.
Reale’s potential return would ease Gotham’s current injury crisis. The Bats will be without defenders Bruninha (hamstring), Mandy Freeman (lower leg) and Emily Sonnett (lower leg), who have all been ruled out for Wednesday’s match.
Defender Kayla Duran and midfielder Taryn Torres are both on the season-ending injury list due to knee injuries.
Reale’s Forthcoming Return Will Ease Backline Shortage
Guro Reiten made her Gotham debut against Bay FC at left-back and fared well despite being played out of her natural position.
“It was a lot of information to take in, but I had to go out there and do my best,” Reiten said following the match in the mixed zone. “My team has been unbelievable. They have been supporting me and helping me in the training sessions and in the game today. My experience with left-back is minimal.”
Rookie Andrea Kitahata replaced Reiten for the second half and continued to show why her versatility is an asset.
Once Reale returns to match action, she will add stability to the back four and allow Reiten to play in her more advanced position on the wing.
Reale captured the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year award. She was a major reason why Gotham owned the league’s second-best defensive record last regular season and went on to become NWSL champions. The Bats only allowed 25 goals in 26 regular-season matches.
Wednesday’s match will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
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