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After winning the NWSL Shield and securing first place for the first time in club history, NJ/NY Gotham FC will begin the NWSL Playoffs this weekend. The Bats will welcome Seattle Reign FC for the quarterfinals. They will try to keep the Washington side from doing to them what they did to the Kansas City Current last year. The NJ/NY side knocked the Current out of the playoffs as the eighth-seeded team, shocking everyone in and around the NWSL.
As such, the pressure to win, especially at home, is immense for Gotham FC. They know how to be successful in the postseason, but the question is whether they can do so without being the last team to make it to the playoffs. It will not be easy, as the team is the number one target in the league. In addition, recent injury losses will not help, especially the loss of Jaelin Howell. She suffered a non-contact injury last week against Utah Royals FC. Since she was in a boot at the end of the match, it would not be shocking if she is out for the rest of 2026.
The good news, though, is that Gotham last lost to the Reign in 2023, which is also the year they beat them to win their first NWSL Championship. Then, they won both matches this season, including the crazy comeback win over the summer. So, recent history favors the home team.
It should be an exciting environment, too. The club opened the upper bowl of Sports Illustrated Stadium, so there will be plenty of supporters to cheer them on. Gotham FC will want to get the win and continue their quest for back-to-back NWSL Championships.
How to watch Gotham FC in the quarterfinals, time, and more
Date
Time
12:30 PM ET
How to watch on TV and streaming
ABC on TV and streaming on the ESPN app
How to listen
Unknown
How to watch in person
Fans can watch the game at home in New Jersey.
How to follow
Supporters can follow the game on Gotham’s social media accounts, the NWSL feed on the NWSL website, and other websites like ESPN.com.
Final notes
Should Gotham FC win on Sunday, then that will be the fourth straight year that they have won at least one playoff game. The Bats are capable of winning, and doing so will prove to everyone that the competitive side is here to stay.
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