Team News: Familiar Gotham FC Lineup Set for Houston Road Rematch | Gotham FC
Gotham FC will field a familiar setup for tonight’s road rematch against the Houston Dash, trotting out an unchanged starting XI from its 1-0 win at Bay FC on Wednesday night.
Gotham FC (10-3-4, 34 points) maintained second position in the NWSL table with the mid-week win. The visitors, who are four points clear of second-place Utah Royals FC, can move into first for the evening ahead of top-of-the-table Washington’s much-anticipated Sunday match vs. San Diego.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Shell Energy Stadium, with NWSL+ carrying the free stream of the game. NWSL+ is a free service available online and via the NWSL+ app on Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku TV.
Wednesday’s goal-scoring game-winner, Midge Purce, again lines up at right back for Gotham FC, setting her sights on rare company in the club history books. Another goal – she has two in two games – would push Purce to 20 career regular-season goals for Gotham FC, joining only Esther González and Sam Kerr, the club’s all-time leading scorers.
On the left flank, Norwegian international Guro Reiten makes her 12th start since joining the club. She’ll be joined by club captain Tierna Davidson and English national teamer Jess Carter, whose 25 tackles won and 22 interceptions both rank in the top three on the team.
Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan starts again for Gotham FC, aiming to record her third clean sheet in as many appearances. Regular starter Ann-Katrin Berger was not selected to the team as she rests.
In the midfield, Jaelin Howell anchors the middle after reaching the century mark for NWSL regular season appearances against Bay FC and registering her second assist of the season. The Colorado native comfortably leads the team in minutes played, tallying 1,489 in her first 17 matches. U.S. Women’s National Team star Rose Lavelle will play ahead of Howell, with Savannah McCaskill making her 17th start in the midfield trio.
Up front, Kerr again leads the line, starting her third consecutive match. The Australian international will be flanked by two 21-year-olds: Jaedyn Shaw on the left and Jordynn Dudley on the right.
Gotham FC’s bench includes goalkeeper Teagan Wy; defenders Bruninha and Mandy Freeman; midfielders Sofia Cook, Sarah Schupansky, Talia Sommer and Taryn Torres; and forward Andrea Kitahata.
Recent signing Denise O’Sullivan is also out with a knee injury, per the player availability report, as is defender Emily Sonnett. Defender Kayla Duran (knee) is on the season-ending injury list.
Gotham FC lineup at Houston Dash
1 – Shelby Hogan (GK)
23 – Midge Purce
27 – Jess Carter
15 – Tierna Davidson (c)
18 – Guro Reiten
7 – Jaelin Howell
13 – Savannah McCaskill
16 – Rose Lavelle
2 – Jordynn Dudley
20 – Sam Kerr
10 – Jaedyn Shaw
Substitutes: 31 – Teagan Wy (GK); 3 – Bruninha, 8 – Taryn Torres, 11 – Sarah Schupansky, 14 – Talia Sommer, 21 – Sofia Cook, 22 – Mandy Freeman, 24 – Andrea Kitahata