Gotham FC can lock up its spot in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs on Sunday when it hosts Racing Louisville FC in a pivotal late-season clash at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Sitting on the verge of back-to-back postseason appearances under head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, Gotham needs only a win or draw to secure its place among the league’s top six. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
Gotham (9-7-8, 35 points) enters the weekend in fifth place in a tightly packed NWSL table, where just three points separate fourth from eighth. A victory would not only clinch a postseason berth but also strengthen Gotham’s push for home-field advantage in the quarterfinals and the chance to host a playoff match for just the second time in club history.
The club’s 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions ended last week with a 2-0 defeat to the Kansas City Current, who secured the NWSL Shield with the result. Despite the setback, Gotham frustrated the league leaders defensively, holding them to their lowest expected goals total at home this season (0.69) and limiting them to just seven shots.
Consistency and resilience have been hallmarks of Gotham’s 2025 campaign. The loss to Kansas City was the club’s first on the road since May 9, when it fell to its next opponent, Racing Louisville. Since the start of last season, the Bats have rarely dropped consecutive matches, showing a strong ability to rebound quickly from defeat under head coach Juan Carlos Amorós.
Racing Louisville (9-9-6, 33 points) currently occupies the final playoff position in eighth place and is chasing its first-ever postseason appearance. After a midseason slump, Louisville has rediscovered form, going unbeaten in its last three matches. Last time out, substitute Bethany Balcer scored in stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw against the Chicago Stars, keeping Louisville’s playoff hopes alive.
Sunday’s clash marks the 12th all-time meeting between the two sides. Gotham trails narrowly in the series with a (2-3-6) record and will look to avenge its 1-0 defeat to Louisville earlier this season, when Taylor Flint scored the lone goal.
HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS AMORÓS
On tomorrow’s final regular season match at home:
“The whole team is very excited. We’ve worked really hard all year to get to this last home game in this position, where it’s really down to us to make sure we can secure not only a playoff spot but also a home playoff match. It’s going to be a vibrant game.”
“Louisville has been fantastic — Bev [Yanez] has done an amazing job with that team. They know what they play for and how to execute their game plan. It’s going to be an exciting match. The players are really up for it, and I hope it’s a great advertisement for women’s football — and that Gotham can win.”
MIDFIELDER SARAH SCHUPANSKY
On facing Racing Louisville this Sunday at home:
“We’re all super excited. At this point in the season and with how great this league is, each match matters and each minute of each match matters. I think [we are] just continuing to stay focused on our game plan and recognizing the threats of these other teams because each team is so different in their own way, but also so talented, so making sure that we are prepared, as prepared as we can be, but also honing in and trusting our own game and going out there and doing what we know how to do. I think that’s the key.”
A win would lift Gotham to its second-highest point total in club history, surpassing the 36 points set in 2023 and reinforcing its position among the league’s top contenders heading into the postseason. Following Sunday’s match, Gotham will wrap up the regular season on Nov. 2 with a trip to face the North Carolina Courage at First Horizon Stadium.
