Shorthanded Gotham FC lost 2-0 to Kansas City Current in Summer Cup Finals

Despite a heavily depleted first-team roster, NJ/NY Gotham FC kept things as close as they could but ultimately fell 2-0 to the Kansas City Current in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Finals. This is the second time this season that Gotham lost in a final in 2024 after losing to San Diego Wave FC 1-0 in the season-opening NWSL Challenge Cup.

Getting a result was always going to be a huge ask for Gotham FC as they were missing 15 players with an additional two, Esther González and Maitane López, listed as questionable. Given the nature of this game and where it falls in this season's schedule so close to the playoffs, even just a cameo appearance from the two Spaniards was always unlikely. To try and combat this shortage of players, Gotham brought in seven National Team Replacement players. These included fan favorites Nicole Baxter and Sabrina Flores. Plus 14-year-old Mak Whitham received the call.

The one positive to come from this game was the return of goalkeeper Abby Smith. She last played 433 days ago on August 19, 2023, in a 2-1 loss to the San Diego Wave where she suffered a serious lower left leg injury. Smith was originally named on the bench but made a short cameo at the end of the match as an 89th-minute substitute. While Gotham's goalkeeping situation has been stable this season without Smith thanks to Ann-Katrin Berger and Cassie Miller, adding more depth for the playoff run can only be a good thing.

While a win was the main goal tonight, Gotham FC can still leave with their heads held high after a gutsy and somewhat impressive performance. That combined with no new injuries can be viewed as a silver lining on a disappointing night.

Overmatched and undermanned Gotham FC falls 2-0 in Summer Cup

Gotham FC's lack of players was already well-known going into Friday's match, but it was really emphasized when two of the NTRPs, Flores and Mana Shim, were named to the Starting XI. For Kansas City, it was close to a full-strength lineup with regulars Vanessa DiBernardo, Temwa Chawinga, Lo'eau Labonta, Almuth Schult, and others in their Starting XI.

And of course, it was Chawinga in what is becoming one of the best individual goal-scoring seasons in American women's club soccer history, netting a first-half brace, her 22nd and 23rd goals this season, both of which were assisted by Labonta. The second looked to be offside but there is no VAR in the Summer Cup to take a second look at it. Even so, complaining about a refereeing decision in a game where the Bats scored zero goals is not a relevant or constructive thing to do.

Despite being outmatched throughout, Gotham had their chances, mainly in the dying minutes of both halves. Their best chance came just before the halftime whistle when great passing between Ella Stevens and Delanie Sheehan sent Bruninha in on goal. Her shot never made it to the goal thanks to a great block from the Current's Izzy Rodriguez.

All things considered, it is very hard to have any strong opinions or takeaways from this match from a Gotham perspective. It would be one thing if this was just a team full of backups, but a fair amount of the players who played significant minutes in this game will not be a part of the team for the rest of the season. This tweet from Equalizer Soccer's Jenna Tonelli really puts into perspective the absurdity of Gotham's roster situation in the game.

Moving forward, Gotham has one last regular season match before their first home playoff game in team history. They visit Utah Royals FC next Friday night. And despite locking in a top-four seed, there is still plenty to play for. Namely that second seed.

Earning that second seed means that if they win their first-round matchup, they will host their second-round game regardless of what else happens in the playoffs. They are currently tied with the Washington Spirit for second and just one point ahead of tonight's opponent Kansas City. Therefore, there is still plenty to play for next week despite having a few important parts already locked up.