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The race for the NWSL Shield is still alive, but after last week’s win, NJ/NY Gotham FC has created a five-point advantage. The ladies want to make that gap even bigger, but to have a chance of doing that, they will need to beat the North Carolina Courage. Such a task is never easy, though. They split the points earlier in the year and have lost in North Carolina the last two years. Who can forget the Decision Day loss that made the lead-up to the 2025 postseason feel bleak?
Still, winning on the road is a rare occasion in this matchup. Gotham FC must play at an extremely high level to have any chance of winning. After all, the Courage is in fifth place. At the same time, the team has won three and lost three of their last six games. In other words, it is hard to know which team the Bats will face.
One thing that helps the NJ/NY side is a healthy Rose Lavelle. The midfielder returned from missing a few games due to a concussion last week against Racing Louisville FC, and her presence made a difference. It is amazing how much smoother the transitions and passes are when she is on the pitch compared to when she is off. That also raises concerns, though.
Does that mean that the Bats are more vulnerable without Lavelle? The answer is a clear yes. It makes the Sarah Schupansky trade questionable, as the younger player has done well stepping in for Lavelle in the past. There is a lot of talent on Gotham FC, but nobody right now can seem to fill in for the USWNT star. Hence, North Carolina could easily pounce when she comes off the pitch.
How to watch and more of Gotham’s game with North Carolina
Date
Time
6:30 PM ET
How to watch on TV and streaming
Ion
How to listen
Unknown
How to watch in person
Fans must go to North Carolina to see the Bats play in person.
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
One thing that is certain is that Gotham FC will stay in first place no matter the result. But that would put the NWSL Shield race at risk for the Bats, so hopefully they will earn the win.
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