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 reside 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 various different components,” Gotham basic supervisor Yael Averbuch West just lately advised The Put up. “We’re actually pumped up for the sport.
Crystal Dunn (left) performs the ball in opposition to Washington defender Casey Krueger throughout the second half of Gotham FC’s dwelling loss to the Spirit on June 23, 2024. Noah Okay. Murray-NY Put up
“I feel 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 had 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 stated Friday. “I feel it’s a blooming rivalry. Any time you get to play the Spirit, they’re an excellent staff with numerous expertise, so it’s all the time going to be a troublesome recreation that you must present up for.”
A giant 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 here 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 precise aspect 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 comfy perch within the standings.
Gotham FC ahead Jéssica Silva reacts after lacking a shot at purpose throughout Gotham FC’s dwelling win over the Braveness on April 13, 2025. Noah Okay. Murray-NY Put up
“Seeking to bounce again from perhaps what we felt like wasn’t our greatest efficiency final week,” Lavelle stated, “and get some extra momentum coming into the second half of the season.”
2. Can Esther decide up the place she left off?
Gotham ahead Esther González, who leads the NWSL’s Golden Boot race with 10 targets (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 Okay. Murray / New York Put up
A finalist for this 12 months’s Ballon d’Or award (given to the world’s finest participant), González shall be obtainable Saturday, although on a minutes restriction of some variety, in keeping with 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 practically 4 months of motion rehabbing a continual again harm (and becoming a member of boyfriend Ben Shelton at his worldwide tennis stops).
Washington ahead Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after scoring a purpose 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.