A significant NWSL regular season fixture is set for Saturday as the league returns from an international break. This match features a clash between two top goal scorers: Gotham FC`s Esther Gonzalez, who currently leads the league with seven goals, and Kansas City`s Temwa Chawinga, close behind with six. Their respective teams will face each other for the first time this season at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Fans can catch the action live on CBS.
Both clubs were semifinalists in the 2023 NWSL season but are experiencing different trajectories in 2024. Kansas City leads the league, boasting eight wins, and has solidified its position as a championship contender thanks to a deep squad, effective scoring, and an improved defense.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski`s side is navigating the absence of MVP candidate Debinha due to injury, but they possess sufficient depth to remain competitive as the midpoint of the season approaches.
Despite sitting in ninth place, Gotham FC recently achieved a historic victory in the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup. This win secured their spot in the qualification phase for the 2026 FIFA Women`s Champions Cup and the first-ever FIFA Women`s Club World Cup in 2028.
Under head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, Gotham has had to be resourceful due to numerous injuries, including a season-ending ACL tear for USWNT defender Tierna Davidson. The team is hopeful that USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle will soon return from her offseason ankle surgery.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, June 7
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium
- TV: CBS
- Live Stream: Paramount+
Recent Encounters
These teams last met in the final of the inaugural NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup in San Antonio, Texas. That cross-league tournament saw Kansas City Current defeat Gotham FC 2-0 to claim the cup, with both goals scored by Temwa Chawinga.
During the 2024 NWSL regular season, the two clubs played twice, with both matches ending in 1-1 draws. Both sides reached the 2023 postseason but were eliminated in the semifinal round.
Gotham`s Perspective
Gotham FC is buoyed by their Concacaf W Champions Cup triumph, adding another trophy alongside their 2023 NWSL Championship. This success builds anticipation for future international competitions. Gotham`s participation in the Concacaf tournament means they have now caught up in league games played, leaving all teams level at ten matches. Consequently, their previous mid-table standing has shifted, placing them in ninth, just outside the current playoff spots for 2025. With the season`s halfway point near, head coach Juan Carlos Amoros believes now is the crucial time for Gotham to climb the table.
Amoros commented, “`The competition in Mexico was different, obviously, with the extra time, with different opposition to the NWSL, different challenges, different weather conditions, but at the end of the day, it`s another football game where we want to be Gotham. We want to entertain our fans, enjoy the gameplay, and get the three points.`
`Obviously, paying extra attention, we can`t ignore the fact that at the moment they`re top of the table, in their own right they`ve been the best team this year so far. So, we need to make sure, hopefully, that we stop that run, and then we can get three points out of them.`”
Kansas City`s Perspective
Leading the league comes with challenges, and the Current are not underestimating Gotham, especially on the road. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski views the trip to New Jersey as a significant test for his squad.
Andonovski stated, “`I just think that they`re dangerous. You can tell that even though they maybe didn`t get the goals or the points — as many this year, they`re creating a lot, and creating in a way that not many teams can do. We know that going to New Jersey to play Gotham, it`s going to be a difficult test for us, and we don`t take it lightly. We don`t even look at the standings, or where they stand, or how many goals they`ve scored or not. We just analyze them as a team, and we see a lot of good things that they do,`
`Gotham is a very interesting team. They`re very, very savvy. Very free-flowing and creative. So, they present different challenges than most teams, if not different challenges than all the teams in the league. Because they do all kinds of different rotations, it`s hard to follow everything that they do. So, we have to be so alert and focused for 90 minutes, because if you just shut down for a second, they`ll punish you. They`ll have such great individuals that they`ll they`ll punish you. They`ll take advantage of it.`”
Predicted Lineups
- Gotham FC: Ann Katrin-Berger; Lily Real, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter, Mandy Freeman; Jaelin Howell, Taryn Torres, Geyse, Sarah Schupansky, Midge Purce, Esther Gonzalez
- Kansas City Current: Lorena; Hailie Mace, Kayla Sharples, Elizabeth Ball, Izzy Rodriguez; Vanessa DiBernardo, Lo`Eau LaBonta, Claire Hutton; Haley Hopkins, Temwa Chawinga, Bia Zaneratto
Player to Watch
Sarah Schupansky, Gotham FC: This rookie forward has been a notable positive for Gotham, stepping up amidst early season injuries. She has taken on playmaking and defensive duties effectively, making it challenging for coaches to alter the lineup even as more experienced players return to form.
The first-year player from Pitt has been absorbing knowledge from veteran teammates. She discussed learning from Rose Lavelle in a recent interview, saying:
“`Rose is coming back now, and that is something that I`ve been so excited for because I`ve been watching her for the longest time, the biggest fan of her, and she`s just turning out to be the best person ever as well,` said Schupansky.
`Now that she`s getting more involved, she`s calling me over and helping me with the little idiosyncrasies that come with playing the number 10 position, and I don`t think there`s anybody better in the world to be learning from than her. So that`s been really special as well, but I think there`s so much to learn from every single person on the field, even if they`re not in your position.`”
Prediction
The recent international break may have allowed some injured players to recover and could introduce some rust for both teams. This match is likely to be closely contested with a narrow outcome.
Predicted Score: Gotham FC 2, Kansas City Current 1
Recent Developments
- Gotham FC recently lifted the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup trophy.
- There is anticipation for Rose Lavelle`s potential return to NWSL regular season play soon.
- Match analysis and previews were discussed on various soccer media platforms.
