Sitting eighth in the tightly packed 2025 NWSL standings with a (5-3-5) record and 18 points from 13 matches, Gotham FC’s playoff hopes rely heavily on the performances of star forwards Esther González and Sarah Schupansky. Both have delivered standout numbers; González with 10 goals in 13 appearances and Schupansky excelling as a creative engine, but the rest of the squad must elevate its play to secure a postseason berth.
González, the Spanish international, has been Gotham’s most reliable source of offense. Her 0.79 goals per 90 minutes is among the best in the league, and she’s already amassed 1,136 minutes this season. The striker’s 6.1 expected goals (xG) and 10 goals suggest she’s not only finishing the chances created for her — she’s outperforming them. Still, Gotham’s attack can’t rest solely on her ability to carry the scoring burden every week, particularly as opposing defenses increasingly key in on her.
Schupansky, meanwhile, continues to grow into her role as one of the most impactful young playmakers in the league. Through 13 matches and 877 minutes, the 21-year-old has logged four assists and one goal. Her 0.41 assists per 90 ranks in the 99th percentile among NWSL midfielders, and her 2.67 shot-creating actions per 90 underline her importance in linking midfield to attack. Yet as her usage grows, Gotham needs players around her to make more dangerous runs, finish chances, and offer an outlet under pressure.
That includes midfielder Jaelin Howell, who has started all 12 of the games she has featured in this season. A defensive midfielder by trade, Howell has logged 1,079 minutes and scored one goal, but her attacking metrics, 0.08 goal-creating actions per 90, 0.04 expected assists, remain far too limited for a team that needs support in transition. Her defensive work remains solid, but Gotham’s struggles to control games in the midfield and advance possession underline the need for Howell to play more progressive, incisive passes and take on a larger playmaking responsibility.
Brazilian forward Geyse has been another high-profile player yet to hit top gear. After joining Gotham from Manchester United with expectations of adding flair and firepower to the front line, she has just two goals and one assist in 554 minutes. Her 1.6 xG and 0.8 xAG aren’t disastrous, but the output remains modest. At times, Geyse has looked isolated or out of sync in the final third, contributing only 13 shot-creating actions across 10 matches. Gotham will need her to improve her off-ball movement, connection with González, and overall decision-making in transition to avoid predictability in the attack.
Gabi Portilho has shown flashes of promise but remains inconsistent. The Brazilian winger has made seven appearances for a total of 461 minutes, contributing one goal and two assists. Her average of 3.71 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes is one of the best on the team, but those moments have been sporadic. Portilho’s pass completion rate of 70.8 percent in a wide role speaks to a lack of consistency in final-third execution. With the second half of the season posing tighter defenses and more intense matches, Gotham needs Portilho to become a reliable wide outlet — especially when the central lanes are crowded.
Midge Purce, once a mainstay in Gotham’s front line, is slowly regaining form following a torn ACL suffered in March 2024. In her nine appearances, she has logged 361 minutes without a goal or assist. Her underlying numbers — 0.3 xG and 0.2 xAG — reflect a player still searching for rhythm. Known for her pace, dribbling and ability to create space, Purce’s return to form could be a game-changer. But if Gotham’s playoff push is to succeed, she’ll need to re-establish herself as a dangerous one-on-one threat and a reliable crosser on the flanks.
In the back line, center back Lilly Reale has played every minute this season — 1,170 in total — and has been one of the team’s most dependable defenders. She’s also chipped in with a goal and an assist, as well as 19 shot-creating actions and two goal-creating actions, which is rare productivity for a central defender. However, with Gotham conceding 16 goals through 13 matches, the defense has lacked sharpness at times. Reale’s aerial duel win percentage remains below 50 percent, and Gotham often struggles to defend second balls or maintain shape when pressed. For the back line to stabilize, Reale must become a more vocal and commanding presence, especially in late-game scenarios.
Fellow defender Nealy Martin has seen extensive action, appearing in all 13 matches and logging 979 minutes. Often deployed at fullback or in a hybrid role, Martin has completed 82 percent of her passes but has yet to make a significant offensive mark, with only one assist and eight shot-creating actions. Her ability to provide width and overlap on the flanks will be critical in games where Gotham is chasing goals or needs to stretch the field. Martin’s decision-making and composure under pressure need to improve, particularly when building from the back or facing high-pressing teams.
The NWSL playoff race remains wide open, but for Gotham FC, the path forward demands more than star power. While González and Schupansky continue to lead by example, the club’s postseason hopes will hinge on the supporting cast. Howell, Geyse, Portilho, Purce, Reale and Martin each hold a piece of the puzzle, and if they can raise their level in the coming weeks, Gotham has the potential to climb the table and reassert itself as a playoff contender.
