Team News: Bruninha, Berger Return to Staring XI Against San Diego | Gotham FC
Two-time NWSL champion Bruninha makes her first start of the season and veteran goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is back in goal for Gotham FC as the club hosts San Diego Wave FC on Friday night.
Bruninha and Berger are the only lineup changes made by acting head coach Shaun Harris ahead of Gotham FC’s second meeting with San Diego. The team is back at Sports Illustrated Stadium for the first time since May following a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash on Saturday.
Gotham FC (11-3-4, 37 points) enters Friday atop the NWSL standings after earning seven points in its most recent three-match road swing through Portland, San Jose and Houston. A victory would extend its lead over the second-place Washington Spirit by four points before the weekend match slate.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, with Prime Video carrying the national broadcast.
Berger, who is back in the starting lineup after resting against Bay FC and the Houston Dash, is seeking her ninth shutout of 2026, which would move her into sole possession of second in club history for clean sheets in a single season. The German’s next goalkeeper win would also pass Kailen Sheridan (San Diego) for eighth in league history for a single club.
Bruninha slots into the right side of the backline, making her 85th appearance across all competitions for Gotham FC. The 24-year-old starts opposite Guro Reiten on the left, who has recorded four assists since April 29 and earned her first NWSL Best XI of the Month, presented by Prime, honors for July. They join center backs Jess Carter and club captain Tierna Davidson.
The trio of Rose Lavelle, Jaelin Howell and Savannah McCaskill comprise the midfield for the fourth consecutive match and the 13th time this season. Lavelle will make her 50th Gotham FC start across all competitions, with her and Howell joining Reiten in the league’s Best XI for the month. Howell recorded two assists and double digit tackles won, clearances, and interceptions in July.
Striker Sam Kerr leads the attacking front, flanked by Jaedyn Shaw to her left and rookie Jordynn Dudley to her right. The three have recorded eight of Gotham FC’s goals this season, with Kerr most recently scoring the game-winner against the Dash and marking her club-record-tying 30th regular-season goal for Gotham FC.
Gotham FC’s bench includes goalkeeper Shelby Hogan; defender Mandy Freeman; midfielders Taryn Torres, Sofia Cook, Sarah Schupansky, Talia Sommer and newest signing Meredith Speck; and forwards Andrea Kitahata and Midge Purce.
Midfielder Denise O’Sullivan is also out with a knee injury per the player availability report. Defenders Kayla Duran (knee) and Emily Sonnett (knee) are on the season-ending injury list.
Gotham FC lineup vs. San Diego Wave FC
30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK)
3 – Bruninha
27 – Jess Carter
15 – Tierna Davidson (c)
18 – Guro Reiten
13 – Savannah McCaskill
7 – Jaelin Howell
16 – Rose Lavelle
2 – Jordynn Dudley
20 – Sam Kerr
10 – Jaedyn Shaw
Substitutes: 1 – Shelby Hogan (GK); 8 – Taryn Torres, 11 – Sarah Schupansky, 14 – Talia Sommer, 21 – Sofia Cook, 22 – Mandy Freeman, 23 – Midge Purce, 24 – Andrea Kitahata, 25 – Meredith Speck