Gotham FC fans should not expect much in the NWSL Challenge Cup

It has not been the greatest year in NJ/NY Gotham FC's quest for another trophy. The team failed to win both the FIFA Women's Champions Cup and the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, failing terribly on the global stage. There is another chance for a trophy later this week, and it is from the NWSL Challenge Cup.

By winning the NWSL Championship last season, Gotham FC will face the 2025 NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current. Fans will recall the incredible win that the Bats had over their opponents in the quarterfinals, which began the road to glory.

Gotham FC fans should have low expectations in NWSL Challenge Cup

While the Bats beat Kansas City in the 2025 postseason, they already lost to them in the 2026 campaign. Notably, that was during Gotham FC's tough stretch to open the season.

Still, when the teams face off in the Challenge Cup on Friday, June 26, fans should not have high expectations. The reason is based on the NJ/NY side's history. After about a month off, there is a high possibility that Gotham will have lost the momentum that they had before the NWSL season paused. They stumbled in the Champions Cup, but players' regular season form was still strong.

Yet, fans know that the Bats can have a slow start to the season. Hence, it is easy to believe they will have another slow start to resume the 2026 campaign. With the exception of the international players, everyone else has not played since the end of May. The idea of winning the one-game tournament feels so far away, with hope lacking.

It is difficult to imagine Gotham playing their best on Friday, and it does not matter that the Current is not fighting for the top spot in the NWSL at this time. Some might argue the teams are in a similar spot since they both have 21 points in the NWSL table.

Alas, the long break can influence teams, and it is expected that Gotham will be one of those teams. It must be said, though, that nothing is impossible, and of course, the Bats could end up on top. However, by having low expectations, supporters will understand if the players do not add another trophy to the trophy cabinet.

Some might think this is an awful thing to believe. But this is just a prediction that Gotham FC will not win the Challenge Cup, therefore implying that fans should not have high expectations. Nothing is ever set in stone.

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