First-place Gotham FC enters the weekend hoping to hold off the chasing Washington Spirit as the race for the NWSL Shield intensifies.
Ahead of Friday’s road meeting against Racing Louisville, Gotham sits two points above the rival Spirit.
The Bats are hoping to bounce back after last Sunday’s 3-0 away defeat to the Denver Summit FC.
On Friday, Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós is expecting an interesting contest between two teams that are known to play clashing styles.
Gotham FC Faces Different Test Against Racing Louisville
Gotham aims to control possession and win the ball back immediately through rapid pressing, while Louisville is highly structured and looks to capitalize on transition opportunities.
“Probably two very different teams in their approaches to the game,” Amorós said during Thursday’s prematch press conference. “So we need to make sure that it’s a game that looks more how we want it to be looking than how they want it to be looking.
“Because [Louisville] playing at home is very dangerous. As I said, a very dangerous team. They got very clear threats that are difficult to control. We’re optimistic that if we are able to control the game how we want to control it and dominate the game, we can come out with the three points.”
Louisville’s attack is led by forward Emma Sears, who has scored seven goals and contributed seven assists, and midfielder Kayla Fischer, who has chipped in six goals and four assists.
Last time out against Denver, Gotham struggled to connect with star forward Sam Kerr. The three-time NWSL Golden Boot winner only recorded one shot attempt in a 90-minute appearance at Centennial Stadium.
“We need to work as a team, as a group,” defender Bruninha said. “We need to build from the keeper to the number nine, and when we get there in zone four, we need to put the ball inside the box. She will be there to score.
“We are working with her. One of the characteristics she has is the explosion. She is really fast, and she just needs one or two opportunities in front of the goal. She can score.”
Latest Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Friday’s Gotham-Racing Louisville Match
The big question ahead of the match is whether Gotham FC star midfielder Rose Lavelle will be cleared to play.
Lavelle was upgraded to questionable on Thursday evening after she missed two consecutive matches due to concussion protocol.
UPDATE 5:50 PM:
Lavelle was named to the starting XI.
Gotham FC announced the starting XI and substitutes:
Starting XI: Berger, Dudley, Howell, Shaw, Davidson, McCaskill, Lavelle, Reiten, Kerr, Purce, Carter
Subs: Hogan, Boade, Bruninha, Freeman, Kitahata, O’Sullivan, Sommer, Speck, Torres
Fellow midfielder Sofia Cook remains out due to a lower-leg injury. Defenders Kayla Duran and Emily Sonnett are both considered long-term absences due to season-ending knee injuries.
OUT: Sofia Cook (lower leg), Kayla Duran (knee – SEI), Emily Sonnett (knee – SEI)
QUESTIONABLE: Rose Lavelle (head)
For Louisville, head coach Bev Yanez will be forced to make do without the services of six unavailable players.
OUT: Savannah DeMelo (illness), Marisa DiGrande (maternity leave), Taylor Flint (foot), Macry Hodge (suspension), Natalie Mitchell (knee)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Audrey McKeen (U.S. U-20)
Friday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. NWSL+ will stream the match.
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