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HUGE Boost: Bruninha & Berger Return to Starting XI vs San Diego
Gotham FC Gets Ready for Big Home Game Against San Diego Wave FC
What’s Happening?
Imagine your favorite soccer team is playing a really important game at home. That’s exactly what’s happening with Gotham FC (a professional women’s soccer team from New York/New Jersey) this Friday night! They’re hosting San Diego Wave FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium — their home field — for the first time since May.
Important Match Facts
- When: Friday at 8:00 PM Eastern Time
- Where: Sports Illustrated Stadium (Gotham FC’s home)
- Watch on: Prime Video (national broadcast)
- This is: The second time these two teams meet this season
Who’s Playing? Big Lineup Changes!
The acting head coach, Shaun Harris, made two changes to the starting lineup compared to the last game:
1. Ann-Katrin Berger — Back in Goal!
- She’s the goalkeeper (the player who stops the ball from going in the net)
- She rested the last two games (against Bay FC and Houston Dash)
- Now she’s back and ready to play!
2. Bruninha — First Start of the Season!
- She’s a defender (helps stop the other team from scoring)
- This is her first time starting a game this season
- She’s a two-time NWSL champion (won the league title twice!)
- This will be her 85th game for Gotham FC across all competitions
How Good Is Gotham FC Right Now?
They’re really, really good! Here’s their report card:
| Stat | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Record: 11 wins, 3 losses, 4 ties | They win most of their games! |
| Points: 37 | #1 in the whole league (NWSL standings) |
| Recent form: 7 points in last 3 away games | They won on the road against Portland, San Jose, and Houston |
If they win Friday, they’ll be 4 points ahead of the second-place team (Washington Spirit) before the weekend games even start!
Player Milestones to Watch
Several players are chasing special records in this game:
Ann-Katrin Berger (Goalkeeper)
- Seeking her 9th shutout of 2026
What’s a shutout? When the goalkeeper doesn’t let the other team score any goals the whole game! - If she gets it, she’ll be #2 in club history for most shutouts in a single season
- Her next win as goalkeeper would pass a legend (Kailen Sheridan) for 8th in league history for wins with one club
Rose Lavelle (Midfielder)
- Making her 50th start for Gotham FC across all competitions
- Named to the league’s "Best XI of the Month" for July (like an all-star team for the month!)
Jaelin Howell (Midfielder)
- Also made Best XI for July
- In July alone: 2 assists + double-digit tackles, clearances, and interceptions
Translation: She was everywhere on the field, stopping the other team AND helping her own!
Guro Reiten (Defender/Midfielder)
- 4 assists since April 29 (setting up goals for teammates)
- First-ever NWSL Best XI of the Month honor for July
Sam Kerr (Striker/Forward)
- Club-record-tying 30th regular-season goal for Gotham FC (scored last game vs. Houston)
- Leads the attack with two teammates: Jaedyn Shaw (left) and rookie Jordynn Dudley (right)
- Together, these three have scored 8 of Gotham’s goals this season
Full Starting Lineup
Here’s who’s on the field from the start (numbers = jersey numbers):
| Number | Player | Position | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Ann-Katrin Berger | Goalkeeper | Back after 2 games rest |
| 3 | Bruninha | Right Defender | 1st start of season, 85th appearance |
| 27 | Jess Carter | Center Defender | Rock-solid in the middle |
| 15 | Tierna Davidson (c) | Center Defender | Team Captain! |
| 18 | Guro Reiten | Left Defender | 4 assists recently, July Best XI |
| 13 | Savannah McCaskill | Midfielder | 4th straight game starting together |
| 7 | Jaelin Howell | Midfielder | July Best XI, defensive wizard |
| 16 | Rose Lavelle | Midfielder | 50th start! July Best XI |
| 2 | Jordynn Dudley | Right Forward | Rookie! |
| 20 | Sam Kerr | Center Forward | 30 goals for club! |
| 10 | Jaedyn Shaw | Left Forward | Dynamic attacker |
ELI5: What’s a "formation"?
This lineup plays in a 4-3-3 — that means:
- 4 defenders (back line: Bruninha, Carter, Davidson, Reiten)
- 3 midfielders (middle: McCaskill, Howell, Lavelle)
- 3 forwards (front: Dudley, Kerr, Shaw)
Bench Players (Substitutes)
These players start on the sideline but can come in during the game:
Goalkeeper:
- 1 — Shelby Hogan (backup goalkeeper)
Defenders:
- 22 — Mandy Freeman
Midfielders:
- 8 — Taryn Torres
- 11 — Sarah Schupansky
- 14 — Talia Sommer
- 21 — Sofia Cook
- 25 — Meredith Speck (newest signing!)
Forwards:
- 23 — Midge Purce
- 24 — Andrea Kitahata
Injury Report
Some players can’t play because they’re hurt:
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Denise O’Sullivan (Midfielder) | Knee | Out for this game |
| Kayla Duran (Defender) | Knee | Season-ending (done for the year) |
| Emily Sonnett (Defender) | Knee | Season-ending (done for the year) |
How to Watch
- Date: Friday night
- Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Time
- Channel: Prime Video (you need an Amazon Prime subscription)
- Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium — Gotham FC’s home since May!
Summary
Gotham FC is the best team in the league right now (1st place, 37 points). They’re playing San Diego Wave FC at home on Friday at 8 PM on Prime Video. Two big lineup changes: superstar goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger returns, and champion defender Bruninha makes her first start. Watch for history — Berger chasing shutout records, Lavelle hitting 50 starts, and Kerr tying the club goal record. The team is healthy (mostly), confident, and looking to stretch their lead at the top!
FAQ
1. What does "NWSL" stand for?
National Women’s Soccer League — it’s the top professional women’s soccer league in the USA.
2. What’s a "clean sheet" / "shutout"?
When a goalkeeper and her defense don’t let the other team score any goals the entire game. It’s like a perfect defensive game!
3. Who is the "acting head coach"?
Shaun Harris is leading the team temporarily while they look for a permanent head coach. "Acting" means he’s filling in for now.
4. What’s "Best XI of the Month"?
The league picks the 11 best players each month (one for each position on the field) — like a monthly all-star team. Gotham FC had THREE players make it for July (Reiten, Lavelle, Howell)!
5. What happens if Gotham FC wins?
They’ll have 40 points and be 4 points clear of 2nd place Washington Spirit before the weekend. That’s a comfy cushion at the top of the table!
