Gotham FC enters Friday with an opportunity to set a new club record unbeaten streak.
Should the Bats earn a win or draw against Portland Thorns FC, it would extend their undefeated streak to 10.
The third-place Thorns hope to spoil the party. Portland has recently been on a good run of form themselves, having won three consecutive games.
Led by 10-goal scorer Sophia Wilson, the Thorns will look to be a thorn in the side of first-place Gotham when the match gets underway at 8 p.m. Eastern Time at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Back when these sides last met in a 2-2 draw on July 24 at Providence Park, it was a rough and tumble affair where Portland defender Jayden Perry saw red in the 73rd minute.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Friday’s rematch repeats the script from July, in being another closely contested, physical match.
Gotham FC acting head coach Shaun Harris is demanding that the Bats cut down on preventable mistakes and get on the scoreboard early.
“There was a couple in our last game, just unforced turnovers,” Harris said during Thursday’s prematch press conference. “It’s about the concentration and making sure we’re doing due diligence in where we’re playing the balls and what kind of passes we’re playing into what areas. Ultimately, if we can go get the goals early, then that kind of settles the game down.”
Rose Lavelle Ruled Out for Friday’s Match Due to Concussion Protocol
If Gotham are able to come away with three points at home against Portland, it would be a tremendous achievement, especially with star midfielder Rose Lavelle set to miss out.
The 31-year-old United States women’s national team regular remains in concussion protocol and as of Thursday is undergoing testing.
“She’s going through the testing, but she’s in a concussion protocol, so she won’t be available tomorrow,” Harris said during Thursday’s press conference.
Lavelle was forced to exit last Sunday’s scoreless road draw against Angel City FC after she landed on the back of her head. Stay tuned to South Ward Central for updates on Lavelle’s status as soon as they become available.
Latest Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Friday’s Gotham-Portland Match
The Bats will also be without midfielder Sofia Cook due to a lower-leg injury and possibly first-choice goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger who sustained a head injury.
OUT: Sofia Cook (lower leg), Kayla Duran (knee – SEI), Rose Lavelle (head), Emily Sonnett (knee – SEI)
QUESTIONABLE: Ann-Katrin Berger (head)
Veteran midfielder Denise O’Sullivan will be available for selection and she could see action for the first time in over a month. The 32-year-old was not part of Gotham’s matchday squad for five consecutive games after she sustained a knee injury in training ahead of the July 29 road match against Bay FC.
“She’s available for selection,” Harris stated. “Whether she gets on the pitch or not is just kind of how the game goes, but she’s back in training with the team and she’s available for selection.”
O’Sullivan has been limited to 38 minutes played since she joined Gotham from Women’s Super League side Liverpool on July 14.
If Berger is unable to take part, Gotham is in good hands with Shelby Hogan. The 28-year-old netminder has recorded shutouts in each of her three NWSL appearances so far this season.
UPDATE: 7:25 PM: Berger was named among the starters for Friday’s contest.
Gotham FC announced the following starting XI:
Berger, Purce, Carter, Davidson (C), Freeman, Howell, McCaskill, Reiten, Dudley, Kerr, Shaw,
Substitutes: Hogan, Wy, Bruninha, O’Sullivan, Torres, Sommer, Kitahata, Speck, Boade
Portland will be missing several familiar faces.
OUT: Bella Bixby (knee – SEI), Julie Dufour (knee – SEI), Olivia Moultrie (knee – SEI), Isabelle Obaze (thigh)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Valerin Loboa (Colombia)
Meredith Speck, Tess Boade Could Make Their Gotham Debuts
Veteran duo Meredith Speck and Tess Boade were acquired by Gotham president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West to add further experience and competition to Gotham’s midfield.
So far, both players are yet to make their Gotham debuts. Speck has been an unused substitute in three consecutive matches. Boade was signed last Thursday after she agreed to a mutual contract termination with Bay FC.
Given the injuries to Lavelle and Cook, Friday’s match against Portland could offer Speck and/or Boade the chance to impress in front of Gotham supporters. It’s possible that Taryn Torres could continue to see her minutes increase.
Last time out against Angel City, veteran defender Mandy Freeman replaced Lavelle and Guro Reiten was moved further up field with Freeman taking the Norway women’s team international’s place at left-back.
Boade Ready to Make Her Mark With Gotham
Boade is ready to contribute to Gotham’s success after she was a member of the North Carolina Courage’s NWSL Challenge Cup-winning teams in 2022 and 2023.
The 27-year-old midfielder has made 63 career NWSL regular-season appearances, scoring six goals and registering assists.
“Gotham FC has just been ascending to a global level,” she said on Thursday. “They are the club that everyone wants to be at — super high-level players, a standard of excellence, a mentality to win, and that’s just everything I was looking for.
“So [I’m] seamlessly slotting in and excited to be here. This is a team that has a lot of veteran players. It’s funny coming from a club [in Bay FC] where I was one of the most senior veteran players to now being actually one of the youngest. It’s a really cool new experience for me. I am so excited to once again just absorb knowledge and wisdom from all these incredible players.”
Friday’s contest is Gotham’s annual Pride Match. Prime Video will carry the national broadcast.
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