Gotham FC travels to SeatGeek Stadium on Friday night, aiming to keep pace in the NWSL playoff race with a favorable matchup against the struggling Chicago Stars. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Gotham (5-3-5) enters the contest in solid form and firmly within the playoff picture. The Bats were successful in their most recent league outing, beating Bay FC by a score of 2-1. Leading the charge is striker Esther González, whose 10 goals rank first in the NWSL. The Spanish international continues to be a clinical finisher in the box and has carried Gotham’s attack throughout the season.
Midfielder Sarah Schupansky has been another standout performer. So far this season, the 21-year-old rookie has contributed one goal and four assists in 13 appearances, showing vision and composure in the final third.
Defensively, Gotham remains one of the league’s more disciplined sides. The club has conceded just 13 goals through 13 matches, tied for the third-fewest in the league. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has been instrumental, recording four clean sheets while maintaining a 71.8 percent save rate.
Chicago (1-3-9) enters Friday’s matchup in 13th place with the second-worst record in the league and the fewest goals scored. The Stars have found the net just 10 times all season and are currently enduring a nine-game winless streak. They fell 1-0 at home to the Portland Thorns in their most recent outing.
In the first meeting between the two teams on May 4, Gotham dictated the tempo at Sports Illustrated Stadium with 58 percent possession and 14 total shots, six of which were on target. Despite the pressure, the match ended in a 0-0 draw thanks to a heroic performance from Chicago’s goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who made six saves and was named player of the match.
On the attacking end, forward Ludmila has been Chicago’s most productive player with four goals, while Jameese Joseph has added one goal and two assists. The two have shown flashes of promise, but the Stars have yet to develop a consistent rhythm in the final third.
Gotham will again look to control possession and use Schupansky’s creativity to open space for González, whose scoring form continues to anchor the club’s playoff ambitions. For Chicago, success likely depends on another top-tier showing from Naeher and moments of individual brilliance from Ludmila or Joseph.
With the Stars still seeking their first win since April, Gotham has a clear opportunity to take all three points and continue their upward climb.
