Gotham FC will roll out the same starting XI for tonight’s clash with Utah Royals FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium, as coach Juan Carlos Amorós keeps faith in the group that faced Houston last Sunday.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET, with ION carrying the national broadcast and ionnwsl.com offering a streaming option.
This marks only the second time this season Gotham has used the exact starting lineup in back-to-back games. The same group also started in the Concacaf W Champions Cup semifinals and final in Mexico, underscoring the coach’s trust in this core.
Leading the line for Gotham is Esther González, the NWSL Golden Boot leader with 11 goals this season. She’ll be supported by Gabi Portilho and Katie Stengel, who also started in Wednesday’s W Champions Cup win over CF Monterrey.
In midfield, Sarah Schupansky sits alongside Rose Lavelle and Jaelin Howell, continuing a trio that has built chemistry across three consecutive starts. In goal, Ann-Katrin Berger will make her 39th consecutive regular-season start of the year, aiming for a sixth solo clean sheet. The back line features captain Mandy Freeman in front of her, with Jess Carter, Lilly Reale and Emily Sonnett protecting the goal.
The substitutes bench includes defenders Bruninha and Kayla Duran, midfielders Sofia Cook, Josefine Hasbo, Nealy Martin and Taryn Torres, plus forwards Geyse and Khyah Harper. Shelby Hogan is the reserve goalkeeper.
Not listed among the available players are defender Tierna Davidson and forwards Midge Purce and Ella Stevens, who have been ruled out through injury.
Starting XI vs. Houston Dash
30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK)
22 – Mandy Freeman (c)
6 – Emily Sonnett
27 – Jess Carter
4 – Lilly Reale
7 – Jaelin Howell
11 – Sarah Schupansky
16 – Rose Lavelle
18 – Gabi Portilho
9 – Esther González
28 – Katie Stengel
Substitutes: 1 – Shelby Hogan (GK); 3 – Bruninha; 5 – Josefine Hasbo; 8 – Taryn Torres; 10 – Geyse; 14 – Nealy Martin; 19 – Kayla Duran; 21 – Sofia Cook; 34 – Khyah Harper
What to watch
– González remains the focal point up front, aiming to extend her goal tally as Gotham seeks to capitalize on Utah’s defensive shape.
– The Lavelle–Howell–Schupansky midfield trio has grown together, offering a mix of distribution, ball progression, and work rate in the middle of the park.
– Berger’s ongoing run of starting appearances continues to provide stability at the back with Freeman organizing the defense.
Summary
Gotham FC’s decision to maintain the same lineup for a second straight game signals confidence in this group’s chemistry as they face Utah Royals FC. If the attack clicks and the midfield remains cohesive, Gotham will aim to leverage their continuity into another positive result and keep building momentum late in the season.