Gotham FC vs Utah Royals FC preview: On the doorstep of the playoffs

Bringing an end to three games in a seven-day stretch, NJ/NY Gotham FC will host Utah Royals FC this Sunday at Red Bull Arena. This will be the first meeting between the Bats and Utah Royals 2.0, with this being the NWSL's first season back in Utah since the original Royals shut down operations.

For Gotham FC, this game could be the one that locks them into the playoffs, the first time they will have locked up a playoff spot before the last matchweek of a season. However, the ladies could clinch a spot before a ball is even kicked on Sunday against Utah. On Saturday, Racing Louisville FC hosts the North Carolina Courage, and a draw or a Louisville loss will clinch a spot for the NJ/NY team.

If Louisville wins, then Gotham's fate is back in their hands and they can clinch a spot with a win or draw against Utah. If Louisville wins and Gotham loses, the last way for the ladies to clinch this weekend is if Angel City FC loses to Portland Thorns FC on Monday night. Any of these three outcomes will see the Bats secure a playoff spot for the third time in the last four seasons after earning just one appearance in the first seven seasons of NWSL play.

This game is also a good chance for Gotham to try and re-find their goalscoring boots. After a disappointing 0-0 draw with C.F. Monterrey Femenil in their second CONCACAF W Champions Cup match on Thursday night, Gotham will not only look to get back to winning ways but try to find the slightly improved goalscoring form they have found themselves in for the past month or so. Here is a preview of this potential playoff-clinching matchup.

Date

Gotham FC and Utah Royals FC will play on Sunday, September 22.

Time

The match is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 PM ET.

How to watch

The match will be broadcast on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

Weather

The weather will not be a major factor with sunny skies and 73 degrees scheduled at kickoff with 50% humidity and a 0% chance of rain.

Injury Report

Midge Purce (knee) and Abby Smith (lower leg) remain on the season-ending injury list. Sadly, Kelley O'Hara (knee) is also on the list, for she could not get healthy enough due to chronic knee degeneration.

Meanwhile, Gotham FC will be without Svava Guðmundsdóttir (excused absence), Sam Hiatt (foot), Maitane López (hip), and Jéssica Silva (illness). In addition, Nealy Martin (suspension) will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation.

Players to watch

For Gotham, expect to see Lynn Williams not only make her first league start since May 19 against the Chicago Red Stars but also give arguably her best performance of the season. She hasn't scored for the team since that game and will obviously be looking to put a few in the back of the net and help the Bats secure a spot in the playoffs.

Despite it being a challenging season, especially defensively for Utah, Gotham's old friend Mandy Haught has acquitted herself very well and proved that last year's late-season run with the NWSL Champions was not a fluke. While the numbers do not look phenomenal, anybody who has watched any Royals' games this season can vouch for how big of a factor Haught has been in keeping Utah in matches and giving them a shot of earning a result. If Utah leaves New Jersey with at least a point, then the goalkeeper will be a big reason why.

Prediction

Whether or not a playoff spot is locked up by the time kickoff rolls around, the NJ/NY side will still view three points as the main goal. A 3-0 result seems like a realistic expectation. Expect goals from Lynn Williams, Rose Lavelle, and a first in Gotham FC colors for Cece Kizer.