3 things we learned from Gotham FC's frustrating loss to Denver Summit FC | OneFootball

On Wednesday, NJ/NY Gotham FC played in a midweek matchup, welcoming Denver Summit FC for their first-ever meeting.  The Bats had some pressure on their shoulders to get all three points after ending Saturday in a 0-0 draw against the North Carolina Courage.  Plus, they were at home, and desperately needed to change the trend from 2025 of barely winning at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Alas, Gotham FC fell 2-0 to the Summit.  Once again, difficulties in finding the back of the net plagued them.  It also did not help that the NJ/NY side was completely outplayed by the visitors and struggled immensely.

One aspect that was very obvious throughout the match was that Denver was stronger physically, causing Gotham to give up the ball too often.  They were better at crowding around a player and forcing poor passes.  And, in the first half, it felt like the home side’s offense took too long to attempt to be threatening.  Substitutions in the second half helped, but perhaps Juan Carlos Amorós underestimated the opposition’s strength with his Starting XI.

This was a frustrating result, and now questions and doubts are starting to seep in.  So, here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s home loss to the Denver Summit.

Gotham FC had too much youth and rotation

Amorós knew some of his players would be restricted in their minutes.  He had to rotate some of the squad, and a few could not play a full half.  It is early in the season, and the Bats do not want to have multiple players on the injury list week in and week out.  But did the head coach make the right rotation choices for Gotham FC?

The Starting XI was full of youth, with Sofia Cook and Andrea Kitahata making their first NWSL starts at 21 and 23, respectively.  Additionally, while more experienced, Lilly Reale and Sarah Schupansky also started.

It was clear in the first half that the Bats could have used players like Esther González and Rose Lavelle.  And sure, the head coach only rotated three players from the North Carolina game.  However, the difference in the match before the substitutions were made in the second half was evident.  Moreover, after three games, it appears Jordynn Dudley is the most prepared for the NWSL, and based on how she has played, it was a little surprising she was not in the lineup compared to one of her fellow, less experienced teammates.

Now, would that have made a difference for Gotham?  Truthfully, one will never know, and Denver came to play. Credit must be given when due, and they absolutely deserved the points from the match.

Ann-Katrin Berger made a rare mistake

Ann-Katrin Berger has been one of the best goalkeepers in the NWSL.  She, for the most part, had a decent game, even when Melissa Kössler scored Denver’s first goal.  The forward has been incredible for Denver, scoring three times now in three matches.  Truly, there was nothing that the Gotham goalkeeper could have done.

But with the second goal, fans saw something shocking.  Berger had the ball at her feet in front of the goal, and Natasha Flint managed to swipe the ball from her.  The keeper was subsequently off her line, leaving the goal open and allowing the Summit to take that 2-0 lead and eventual win.  Such a mistake is so rare for Berger, and it is still hard to believe that she allowed that to happen.

Nevertheless, this moment proves that she is still human and can make mistakes.  That does not lessen how great a goalkeeper she is.  One can believe, though, that this will be a focus in training to ensure something like that never happens again.

Is it time to be concerned about Gotham FC?

Gotham FC has had slow starts to the season.  In 2024, which was the best regular season in team history, they started 1-2-2.  Then, last year, they started 0-1-2.  In both early parts of the campaigns, the Bats struggled to score.  Of course, in 2025, the team went through periods of highs and lows, lacking the consistency they had in 2024.

So, with that in mind, is it time to be concerned about Gotham FC?  The roster is too talented not to have at least one more win and more goals.  Some of their play thus far does not look like a championship-contending side.  Hence, it is easy to be nervous about how 2026 will go.

It is important to remember that one should not worry until they have to.  Therefore, Gotham FC fans should not be fully concerned yet since they have only played three matches.  One can be wary, though, and wait to see what will happen.