Gotham FC vs Angel City FC preview: The biggest game of the season, so far | OneFootball

Coming off a midweek win against Alianza Women FC in El Salvador, NJ/NY Gotham FC will return to NWSL play as they host Angel City FC. This is the second and final meeting between the two in the regular season, with the first meeting having seen arguably Gotham's best win of the year by a score of 4-0 in Los Angeles. The NJ/NY side enters this game just one spot above the California team. The teams are eighth and ninth, respectively, and just one point ahead of Angel City.

For Gotham, as was the case last week and probably will be again next week, this is the biggest game of the season for them. A win would see them jump up to seventh, and potentially even sixth, in the standings. A loss would see Angel City jump them in the standings and fall out of a playoff spot. However, some departures from the visitors might help the Bats, especially the departure of star player Alyssa Thompson.

Additionally, midfielders Katie Zelem and Alanna Kennedy joined London City Lionesses in the WSL, and forward Julie Dufour was traded to Portland Thorns FC. The recent roster changes can help the home side take advantage. Although the LA side did beat Bay FC in their last game, and have had success without Thompson.

As mentioned earlier, Gotham FC is just one point ahead of Angel City in the standings. A win would not only see them move up in the standings but also create some breathing room behind them. So, here is a preview of Sunday's match.

Gotham FC vs Angel City Ppreview

Date

The game will be played on Sunday, September 7.

Time

The match is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM ET.

How to watch

The fixture will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

Location

The game will be played at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

Weather

Despite forecasted rain earlier in the day, it will remain dry for the game with a 0% chance of rain throughout the match. Temperatures will be in the low 70s throughout, with humidity at 45-50% and wind around 6 mph.

Injury report

Gotham FC will be without Tierna Davidson (SEI – knee), Nealy Martin (excused absence), and Ella Stevens (knee).

Players to watch

Obviously, Gotham FC fans should watch for Esther González. Typically, when the Spaniard scores one or two goals, she then goes on a huge goal-scoring binge over the next few games. She scored in her last game played against the Orlando Pride last week, and that could be the catalyst for another run of consecutive games with a goal. González currently sits at the top of the Golden Boot race with 12 goals, and given how she's scored at times earlier this season, 20 goals might not be out of the question.

For Angel City, Riley Tiernan will be their key player moving forward after the departure of Thompson, and is the one to watch. The New Jersey native, Rutgers grad, and younger sister of former Sky Blue FC forward Madison Tiernan, Riley has had an excellent start to life in NWSL. After initially being invited to the preseason as a non-roster invitee, she earned a full contract just a week before the season started and has made the most of it, scoring eight goals, which puts her fifth in the Golden Boot standings. Moving forward, she will be expected to bear the weight of being Angel City's primary attacking threat.

Expect the Bats to continue their positive form in this match, thanks to a closely fought 2-0 win. González and Josefine Hasbo will score. Hasbo, who came close against both C.F. Monterrey Femenil and Orlando, will score her first goal for the club. While these two teams are close in the standings, it does feel like a lot of the momentum is on Gotham FC's side, especially given the recent departures from Angel City.