If Gotham FC are to repeat as NWSL champions, it will take the efforts of not only a talented starting XI, but also a veteran bench capable of closing out victories in the pressured stages of a match.
Veteran defender Mandy Freeman and experienced midfielder Taryn Torres have served as Gotham’s closers late in matches, helping the first-place Bats extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches, equaling a franchise record.
“If you’re going to go on a title run or a championship run, the people that come off the bench, the game changers, they’re really what helps you get over the line,” acting head coach Shaun Harris recently said.
“You talk about championship teams and having those abilities, especially Mandy and Taryn, experienced players who know what the game requires at certain moments. Whether it’s more physical, whether it’s being calm on the ball, whether it’s playing in behind or slowing the game down, getting to the corner. Those are the players that you really rely on to adapt to the game very quickly.”
Torres and Freeman Provide Late-Match Expertise
Freeman is Gotham’s longest-tenured player in her 10th season at the club. Earlier this month, she made her 125th career regular-season appearance for Gotham and became the first player in team history to reach that milestone.
“Mandy just comes in and straight away it’s almost like she’s been playing the whole game. Those are the kind of players that you rely on in
those moments. She’s a fantastic player. She’s been here longer than anyone I know here. She’s a real Gotham legend, for sure.”
Torres recently surpassed 50 appearances in all NWSL competitions amid her comeback from a torn left ACL which sidelined her for just shy of 11 months.
“We’re all super, super proud of her,” goalkeeper Shelby Hogan said after Torres made her return on July 29. “We were able to see a lot of the work she put in behind the scenes, so having her come back after so long is going to be huge for the overall team success.”
Gotham’s Goalkeeping Depth Includes Reliable Hogan
Hogan has stepped in to provide assured goalkeeping at stages of the season when first-choice keeper Ann-Katrin Berger has been injured or rested. The 28-year-old has recorded three shutouts in three NWSL appearances.
“I’ve been a number one in this league before, so I think I understand what it takes when you need to step into that role,” Hogan told South Ward Central. “Here, I’ve always been asked to be prepared, whether it’s being on the bench as a No. 2 and needing to step into a game if someone goes down or just being ready when my name is called to start a game right off the bat.”
Gotham’s Depth Could Be Crucial Down the Stretch
Right-back Bruninha was a regular starter last season, but a hamstring injury forced her to miss over five months of action. The 24-year-old Brazilian international has started one match and made nine NWSL appearances since returning.
“Just being with the group, in the locker room with the girls, traveling together, winning games and losing games together means a lot,” Bruninha said in July.
There hasn’t been a lot of losing at Gotham — and that’s partially due to the Bats’ impressive bench depth, which includes Freeman, Torres, Hogan, Bruninha, midfielder Sofia Cook and rookie forwards Andrea Kitahata and Talia Sommer.
With veteran midfielders Meredith Speck and Tess Boade added to the mix, Gotham will have plenty of experience to call upon as the club targets a first-ever NWSL Shield and a second straight NWSL championship.
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