Gotham FC vs Portland Thorns preview: A top-four clash in New Jersey

NJ/NY Gotham FC will return home for the first time since September 7 to take on Portland Thorns FC. The Bats are returning from a three-game West Coast road trip that saw them make stops in San Diego, Vancouver, and San Jose, taking seven from a possible nine points in all competitions. The two teams enter this game tied on 31 points, with Gotham having the tiebreaker by virtue of having a better goal differential. This is also the second and final meeting between the two sides in the regular season, with Portland winning the previous matchup 4-1 back in April.

The NJ/NY side's 1-1 draw last time out against Bay FC ended the club’s five-game winning streak in all competitions but extended their unbeaten run to eight. Fatigue was likely a factor on Sunday night as the players did not look like their normal dynamic selves that fans have seen in recent games. While there was no midweek game this week, Sunday to Friday with a cross-country flight back home certainly is not the same as having a typical full week of rest like most teams often have.

For Portland, they too are coming off a cross-country flight, albeit with an extra day of rest, as they played at home on Saturday against San Diego Wave FC. While they are still in a great position in the table, this is another team in a playoff spot that has struggled to get results as of late. They have just one win in their last six matches, with that win coming off a 90th-minute winner on the road against Racing Louisville FC.

A win on Sunday not only potentially helps Gotham FC pull ever so slightly closer to the Washington Spirit above them, but it also keeps them out of the glut of teams behind them. Third through eighth in the table are separated by just three points, so staying out of the mess below them not only keeps them in line for a home playoff game but also strengthens their chances of even just making the playoffs. Here's a preview of Friday's match.

Gotham FC vs Portland Thorns preview

Date

The game will be played on Friday, September 26.

Time

The match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET.

How to watch

The fixture will be broadcast on NWSL+ and can be seen on TV locally on MSG.

Location

The game will be played at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

Weather

The temperature at kickoff is forecast to be 75 degrees with 65% humidity, with the temperature only dropping two degrees and the humidity rising by 5% throughout the match. Winds will be around 5 mph with a less than 5% chance of rain. The scheduled sunset is 6:47 PM.

Injury report

The injury report has not changed. Tierna Davidson (SEI – knee), Ella Stevens (knee), and Taryn Torres (SEI – knee) remain out.

Players to watch

Since returning from her offseason surgery, Rose Lavelle has started to look more and more like her usual self, especially in recent games. She has a goal contribution in three of her last four fixtures played, and even before that has put in solid performance after solid performance. Keeping her healthy through the end of the season and playoffs is crucial, as Lavelle is a true X-Factor for this team. She can not only change a game on her own but also elevate the level of play for her teammates. Hence, she is someone to watch.

For Portland, a player to watch is Olivia Moultrie, who has stepped up in recent games. She scored a great free kick two weeks ago against Chicago Stars FC and had another free kick last week against San Diego that led to their late equalizer. With Sophia Wilson out on maternity leave for the season, Portland has needed everyone to step up from an attacking perspective, and Moultrie definitely has.

Prediction

This very clearly will not be an easy match given the Thorns' general quality. But given that Gotham FC is at home and in much better form than Portland, they get the edge in this one with a 1-0 victory, with the lone goal coming from Esther González. This will take her goal tally up to 14 on the season. As mentioned, though, this should be a close one. The result could potentially go either way.