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A win on the road against the KC Current would push Gotham FC to be a contender

  • Gotham FC will play the Kansas City Current this weekend
  • Beating the team will be a challenge, but the Bats will turn into a contender for the playoffs if they do
ByCaitlyn Chale|
Esther González of Gotham FC
Esther González of Gotham FC | Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

This weekend, NJ/NY Gotham FC will play the NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current. The Bats really could use the win, but beating the Current will not be an easy task. Moreover, the match will be on the road.

However, if the NJ/NY side were to win, then this would push them to be a contender in the postseason. Yes, the team is in third place, but it does not feel like Gotham FC is a contender despite their 11-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. The side has been too streaky throughout the season. Plus, it feels like nobody can beat the Current.

Beating Kansas City is a challenging goal for Gotham FC

Any win against Kansas City would be viewed as an incredible success, for they have only lost twice in the NWSL this season. The team also has a 19-2-2 record. In fact, the two teams that have beaten the Current are Seattle Reign FC, with whom Gotham shared the points in both games this season, and the North Carolina Courage. The Bats will end the season on the road against the Courage.

Notably, those losses were earlier in the season. Then, the Bats lost to the league leaders at home back in June. Winning the upcoming fixture is a challenging task, especially if the last two 0-0 draws in all competitions mark the start of a worrisome trend. Hopefully, that is not the case.

But how can Gotham FC beat Kansas City? For starters, the backline cannot afford to make any mistakes. The entire lineup, though, must play a solidified defense. The Current likes to score, and leads the NWSL with 45 goals. They have also won multiple narrow matches, so allowing one or two goals could lead to the end of the unbeaten streak.

Of course, Gotham FC has to score on their end, and likely at least two goals or more. Remember, the opposite fixture was a 2-1 loss, so scoring once is not what the NJ/NY side wants to do.

It would also be great for Esther González to find the back of the net again. She has not scored in her last three NWSL games, which has allowed Temwa Chawinga to take the lead in the Golden Boot race. The Kansas City player leads the Spaniard 14 to 13. González could be the hero who leads her team to the win while also adding to her personal tally.

Again, if Gotham FC can win this weekend, then they will be a contender in the postseason with the idea that they can beat the NWSL Shield winners.

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