Gotham FC heads north of the border Tuesday night for its first-ever match in Canada, taking on Vancouver Rise FC Academy in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. The contest marks Gotham’s first against Canadian opposition and the first meeting between the two clubs.
The reigning tournament champions are unbeaten in Group B play with a (2-0-0) record. Gotham sits second in the group standings, trailing the Washington Spirit only on goal differential. Overall, Gotham has never lost in the competition, entering Tuesday with a (6-0-2) record in the Champions Cup.
In its group-stage opener, Gotham earned a 2-1 victory over Monterrey behind goals from Bruninha and rookie Khyah Harper. The club then followed that result with a 2-0 road win against Alianza FC of El Salvador. Geyse converted a second-half penalty in that match before defender Kayla Duran scored her first goal for the club to seal the win.
A result in Vancouver would move the Bats to the top of Group B, with Washington idle this week in Champions Cup play. It would also push the defending champions closer to clinching a semifinal berth next spring as they look to repeat their 2025 title run. Gotham has combined defensive consistency with attacking sharpness throughout the competition.
Vancouver enters Tuesday’s match looking for its first points of the campaign. The Canadian side fell 4-0 to Washington in its group-stage opener at Audi Field. Rise FC Academy is in the tournament for the second consecutive year after previously competing as the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy.
Gotham has been in strong form across all competitions, recording four clean sheets in its last five outings. The club has also scored at least two goals in four straight matches, its longest such run since October 2024, when it tallied multiple goals in five consecutive games. That blend of defensive solidity and attacking rhythm has carried over into Champions Cup play.
Following Tuesday’s match, Gotham will return to California for its Week 21 NWSL contest against Bay FC on Sunday, September 21. The club will aim to continue its league form while staying firmly on track in its Champions Cup title defense.
