Rivalry Weekend is right here for the NWSL.
Can up-and-down Gotham FC’s Saturday afternoon conflict with the visiting third-place Washington Spirit stay as much as that new capital-letter billing?
“The sensation of a rivalry is one thing that clearly takes time to develop, however actually I do assume we really feel rivalry with them — due to their proximity to us and a lot of different components,” Gotham normal supervisor Yael Averbuch West not too long ago instructed The Publish. “We’re actually pumped up for the sport.
Crystal Dunn (left) performs the ball towards Washington defender Casey Krueger throughout the second half of Gotham FC’s dwelling loss to the Spirit on June 23, 2024. Noah Ok. Murray-NY Publish
“I believe we’re nonetheless not forgetting how we exited the playoffs final 12 months.”
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Ah, sure, that heartbreaker. Gotham’s hopes of repeating as NWSL champs have been dashed within the nation’s capital within the semifinals final November when the Spirit equalized on a last-ditch Hal Hershfelt header in stoppage time and finally prevailed on penalty kicks.
“There’s positively some historical past and good matchups,” Gotham star midfielder Rose Lavelle mentioned Friday. “I believe it’s a blooming rivalry. Any time you get to play the Spirit, they’re a fantastic staff with loads of expertise, so it’s at all times going to be a tricky recreation that it’s a must to present up for.”
An enormous and boisterous crowd is anticipated for the midday kickoff (airing on ESPN) at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium, the place the higher deck of seats shall be open for a change.
Listed below are three issues to observe:
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1. When is Gotham going to make a run?
Gotham (5W-5L-4D) is plodding alongside in eighth place, barely on the appropriate facet of the playoff reduce line, after final weekend’s uninspiring attract Chicago. Now they embark on a stretch of three straight regular-season dwelling video games, an opportunity to climb to a extra snug perch within the standings.
Gotham FC ahead Jéssica Silva reacts after lacking a shot at aim throughout Gotham FC’s dwelling win over the Braveness on April 13, 2025. Noah Ok. Murray-NY Publish
“Seeking to bounce again from possibly what we felt like wasn’t our greatest efficiency final week,” Lavelle mentioned, “and get some extra momentum coming into the second half of the season.”
2. Can Esther choose up the place she left off?
Gotham ahead Esther González, who leads the NWSL’s Golden Boot race with 10 objectives (the staff has simply 19 whole), missed final weekend’s match after that includes for Spain throughout their run to the Euros remaining.
Esther González shoots a shot throughout Gotham FC’s win over the Braveness on April 13, 2025. Noah Ok. Murray / New York Publish
A finalist for this 12 months’s Ballon d’Or award (given to the world’s greatest participant), González shall be out there Saturday, although on a minutes restriction of some type, based on head coach Juan Carlos Amorós.
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3. What’s going to Trinity Rodman do for her subsequent trick?
The USWNT phenom missed almost 4 months of motion rehabbing a power again damage (and becoming a member of boyfriend Ben Shelton at his worldwide tennis stops).
Washington ahead Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after scoring a aim previous goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold (not pictured) throughout the second half of the Spirit’s win over the Thorns on Aug. 3, 2025. Amber Searls-Imagn Pictures
When she returned to motion final weekend for the Spirit in its place, she scored an emotional game-winner that left her in tears.
