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NJ/NY Gotham FC will play their final game before the NWSL season pauses for the rest of the month and all of July. The league will pause for the CBA-mandated break from June 23-29 and then in July for international competitions. As such, with such a long break, the Bats will want to enter the break in style by winning. They will have to beat Bay FC at home, and the game will not be the easiest.
The home side has been underperforming during this season, despite winning the CONCACAF W Champions Cup championship. Gotham FC is only in eighth place in the NWSL, with Bay FC one place below them. The teams both have 15 points, so while the Bats are better on paper, realistically, anything can happen.
What makes this match interesting is that the NJ/NY side has been struggling at home, for they only have one win. Then, Bay has just one road win. It is hard to predict what will happen, but hopefully, the Bats can pick up where they left off from last weekend’s win.
Can Gotham FC grab that much-needed win? Here is a preview of the match against Bay FC.
Gotham FC vs Bay FC preview
Date
Gotham FC and Bay FC will play one another on Saturday, June 21.
Time
The game will start at 7:30 PM ET.
Location
The fixture will occur at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ.
How to watch
Fans can view the match on Ion.
Weather
Saturday will be the start of the upcoming heat wave, with temperatures increasing over the next few days. Thankfully, since the match is in the evening, temperatures will drop a little bit from the predicted 88 degrees at the start of the battle. It will be partly cloudy, and no rain is in the forecast.
Injury report
Jess Carter (suspension), Tierna Davidson (SEI – knee), Jaelin Howell (suspension), Gabi Portilho (hip), Jéssica Silva (excused absence), and Ella Stevens (knee) are all out for Saturday.
Shelby Hogan is officially off the 45-day injured list, so she will be available for the Bats and will be the second-choice keeper again. In addition, it is good to see Midge Purce is also off the list.
Players to watch
Since Gotham FC is missing quite a few players, fans should watch Rose Lavelle when she comes on as a substitute in the second half. It would be surprising if she starts, but that is not out of the question either. The midfielder’s minutes will still be limited, but the Bats will desperately need her to be at the top of her game on the pitch. The team needs all the help they can get.
Fans should also pay attention to Bay FC’s Asisat Oshoala. The striker has not scored yet and will try to earn her first of the season before the break. This can make her very dangerous in the final third, so the Bats’ backline needs to focus on her.
Prediction
It will not be the prettiest game. However, Gotham FC will secure their second win in a row and will beat Bay FC 1-0. Ann-Katrin Berger will be vital to the win, for Bay will be an offensive threat, while players like Geyse and Lavelle will be vital to the attack.