Gotham FC vs Washington Spirit preview: Searching for more goals

NJ/NY Gotham FC has had an average start to their NWSL season.  The Bats are 1-1-1 with four points.  Yet, with the star power that they have, the expectations to do well are higher.  They need more points, and they desperately need to score more goals.

This weekend, Gotham FC will travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Spirit.  The home team has had a great start to the season, so the visitors will have a challenging road fixture ahead of them.

As mentioned, the Bats need to increase the number of goals.  They have scored just twice so far, and both goals were scored by Esther González.  Players like Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan are so close to getting their first of the season.  Then, the return of Lynn Williams should help.  She came on in the second half last week against the Kansas City Current.  There is the question of whether she is ready to start.

Hopefully, the goal struggles will not continue like it has with New York City FC.  Here is a preview of the upcoming fixture between Gotham FC and the Spirit.

Date

Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit will play one another on Saturday, April 20.

Time

The game is at 1:00 PM ET.

Location

The match will take place in Washington, D.C. at Audi Field.

How to watch

Fans can watch the game on CBS and Paramount+.

Weather

Saturday will be a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. when Gotham and Washington kick off.  It will be sunny and around 65 degrees.

Injury report

Midge Purce (knee) is out for the year.  McCall Zerboni (knee), Abby Smith (lower leg), and Taylor Smith (thigh) are on the season-ending injury list at this time.

Update: Kristen Edmonds (knee), Sinead Farrelly (thigh), Mandy Freeman (thigh), Svava Guðmundsdóttir (excused absence) Rose Lavelle (lower leg), and Kelley O’Hara (knee) are out for Saturday.

Players to watch

Gotham FC fans should watch Jenna Nighswonger.  When she came on in the second half with Crystal Dunn, the two players changed the match and the Bats became the dominant side.  Nighswonger especially made the difference at left-back, adding a more offensive-minded game to the left side of the pitch.  Her ability to move the ball forward combined with her defense means she is too good to be left on the bench.  Everyone should watch to see whether she starts and continues her fantastic performance from last week.

On the other team, fans should pay attention to Trinity Rodman.  The forward has not scored yet in the young season and is likely hungry for a goal.  Her abilities on the ball and offensive talent make her a huge threat for the Bats.

Prediction

After seeing what Gotham FC did in the second half against the Current, there is a lot of positivity going around despite the draw.  As such, the prediction is that the Bats will win 2-1.  They will shock another team on the road while scoring more than one goal.