Star attackers Midge Purce and Jaedyn Shaw return to Gotham FC’s beginning lineup Saturday because the membership heads to CPKC Stadium for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff towards the Kansas City Current in a rematch of final yr’s historic NWSL quarterfinal upset.
They signify the 2 adjustments to Gotham FC’s lineup following its 0-0 dwelling draw to the Orlando Pride final weekend. There’ll even be a change on the touchline, with lead assistant coach Shaun Harris standing in for head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, who’s dwelling along with his household as they put together for the arrival of their second baby.
CBS will carry the nationwide broadcast from Kansas City.
Saturday’s assembly marks Gotham’s first journey again to Kansas City since its seismic postseason win there in 2025, when eighth-seeded Gotham upset the top-seeded Current on the way in which to successful the NWSL Championship. Gotham’s victory made it the primary No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in NWSL playoff historical past and gave the membership its first-ever win over Kansas City, which recorded the perfect common season efficiency in NWSL historical past.
Purce makes her second begin of the common season and first since Gotham’s opener at Boston. The veteran ahead has scored two profession objectives towards the Current, whereas Shaw returns to the XI for the primary time since March 14 and can face Kansas City after recording a objective and an help in final yr’s playoff assembly. They’ll pair with Spanish striker Esther González up entrance.
In midfield, Rose Lavelle captains Gotham FC after changing into the most recent member of the NWSL’s 100-match membership final weekend towards Orlando. Lavelle begins alongside Savannah McCaskill and Jaelin Howell, who has received a team-best 23 duels this season. It’s the fourth time in 5 matches this trio will begin collectively.
Defensively, Gotham retains its acquainted again 4 in entrance of goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, with Kayla Duran, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter and Lilly Reale lining up from proper to left. Berger enters the weekend main the NWSL with a 0.50 goals-against common and three clear sheets, whereas Carter has recorded a team-high eight interceptions this season, incomes NWSL Best XI of the Month honors for March. Sonnett, in the meantime, sits simply 9 minutes shy of a landmark 15,000 for her NWSL regular-season profession.
The substitutes bench consists of goalkeeper Shelby Hogan; defender Tierna Davidson; midfielders Sofia Cook, Sarah Schupansky and Talia Sommer; and forwards Jordynn Dudley, Andrea Kitahata, Katie Lampson and Khyah Harper.
Defenders Bruninha and Mandy Freeman and midfielder Taryn Torres are unavailable due to damage and have been listed as out on the Gotham FC availability report.
Gotham FC lineup at Kansas City Current
30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK)
19 – Kayla Duran
6 – Emily Sonnett
27 – Jess Carter
4 – Lilly Reale
7 – Jaelin Howell
13 – Savannah McCaskill
16 – Rose Lavelle (c)
23 – Midge Purce
9 – Esther González
10 – Jaedyn Shaw
Substitutes: 1 – Shelby Hogan (GK); 2 – Jordynn Dudley, 11 – Sarah Schupansky, 14 – Talia Sommer, 15 – Tierna Davidson, 21 – Sofia Cook, 24 – Andrea Kitahata, 28 – Katie Lampson, 34 – Khyah Harper
