Gotham FC can have the best defense in 2026 even with some early injury concerns | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC has been one of the best defensive teams over the last couple of seasons. In 2024, they had the best defense in the NWSL based on the fewest goals allowed and the second-best in 2025. Arguably, their defense helped the Bats win the 2025 NWSL Championship.

Now, last season, the NJ/NY side was hurt in their defense when center-back Tierna Davidson, one of the best defenders in the league, tore her ACL at the beginning of the year. With that said, they still had one of the top backlines with players like Jess Carter, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett, and more. And of course, Reale was one of the top young left-backs since she won the Rookie of the Year.

Gotham FC can have the best defense in 2026

So, with Davidson returning from her ACL tear, and with Gotham FC having the same defense back this season, it is easy to believe that the team can have one of the best defenses again in 2026. The chemistry should be even stronger, and the backline depth is solid. Even with rotation, Juan Carlos Amorós can trust any of the defenders that he plays with. Moreover, if and when Taryn Torres returns from her ACL tear, the midfielder can slot into the defense, too.

Meanwhile, there are questions about some of the other teams that had drastic changes to their rosters. The NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current, had quite a few players leave. The team is still a strong one, but whether they will have the top defense as they did in 2025. If that is the case, then Gotham could overtake the team and become the top defensive team in the NWSL again.

Unfortunately, there are already some injury concerns for the NJ/NY team that could hurt their quest to become the best defensive team in the NWSL. Two Gotham defenders suffered injuries with their national teams.

Bruninha suffered a hamstring injury playing for Brazil against Costa Rica. The right-back cannot play again during this window, but will remain with her national team for treatment. Hopefully, this is a promising sign that she will be okay since she is not immediately returning to Gotham.

Then, Reale has a foot injury during the USWNT match against Argentina. She departed the national team camp and made her way back to the club. However, neither the USWNT nor anyone in the team's front office has revealed anything about the severity of her injury.

Hopefully, the two players will be okay. Still, Gotham FC should be okay based on the depth of the squad. Multiple defenders, like Mandy Freeman and Carter, can play in multiple positions. Hence, the ladies should still be able to have one of the best defenses in the league.