Gotham FC returns to Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sunday afternoon looking to strengthen its position atop the NWSL standings when it hosts an in-form Angel City FC side.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.
Gotham enters the matchup at (16-4-6) with 54 points, holding a six-point lead over second-place San Diego in the race for the NWSL Shield. The Bats have won three straight matches, most recently defeating the Chicago Stars 3-1 on Sept. 25. The victory also extended Gotham’s club-record home unbeaten run to 11 matches.
Angel City enters Sunday’s matchup at (12-8-6) with 42 points, currently sixth in the NWSL standings. The club has won five of its last six matches, including a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in its most recent outing. Maiara Niehues scored the late winner in the 88th minute, giving Angel City its fifth win in its last six matches.
Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós knows his team will have to limit Angel City’s attacking threats, particularly in transition and on set pieces.
“Obviously, it’s a team that has been dangerous in transition with that shape they play – so many offensive players trying to occupy the backline,” Amorós said. “Definitely one of the things that has characterized them. I think they’ve been good on offensive set pieces, so we will have to be concentrated for that.”
The teams previously met Aug. 23 at BMO Stadium, playing to a scoreless draw. Gotham had a late opportunity to claim all three points when Guro Reiten stepped to the penalty spot in the 87th minute, but Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made the save. Sam Kerr then struck the crossbar minutes later as neither side found a winner.
With four regular season matches remaining, Gotham’s focus remains on securing the NWSL Shield. Midfielder Taryn Torres said the team understands what is at stake with its position at the top of the standings.
“At this point in the season, our destiny is in our hands, so if we win out, we win the Shield,” Torres said. “That’s what we have our eyes set out on, so right now we’re taking it one game at a time.”
Amorós kept the focus on the task in front of Gotham, emphasizing that the Shield still has to be earned on the field.
“But for us at the moment, it’s not about the trophy, it’s about the game,” Amorós said. “All our attention is on the game. … There is nothing guaranteed. We have to go tomorrow and earn it on the pitch, and I really trust this group of players to go out there and execute.”
Gotham will look to do exactly that Sunday, with another three points potentially bringing the club closer to its first NWSL Shield.
