Gotham FC's 2025 Home Opener is Upon Us!

My thoughts on what we can expect going into Sunday's match against Orlando

Gotham FC’s First 2025 Staring XI featuring whatever Sonnett is doing

With nine new players on its roster, Gotham FC took on the Seattle “Rain” (see what I did there? Because it was raining??) and came home with a point from the very wet road game at Lumen Field (not to be confused with Lumon - who is watching Severance!? That season 2 finale was crazy!).

Although I think Gotham could have eked out a win last week, 1-1 draw was a reasonable result for what we saw on the pitch. Both teams were attacking in somewhat equal measure, although Gotham did do more to test Reign’s keeper. In fact, the Reign only logged one shot on goal compared to Gotham who managed four on target. For me, it was a decent showing for the NJ/NY side in the season opener against a team like the Reign with something to prove after a 13th place finish in the table last year.

Now, Gotham looks to Sunday’s match against NWSL juggernaut the Orlando Pride. The Pride not only won the double last year (Shield + Championship), but also opened up the 2025 season last weekend with a 6-0 thrashing of the Chicago Stars. Gotham will be looking to make a statement in their home opener this Sunday at the newly rebranded Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The team will have to take on the Pride without their longest tenured player, fan favorite Mandy Freeman. The defender was assessed a red card in the match against the Reign following a VAR review and will be unavailable for selection for Sunday’s match. Despite this loss, Gotham will have Brazilian international Bruninha available for the first time this season. The defender missed the season opener because of a red card assessed in the semifinal last season.

What are they saying?

On the home opener:

“I’m actually really excited to play at home. We had a long preseason. This is a huge game already at the beginning of the season. I’m looking forward to it. We saw what Orlando can do, but we also saw what [Gotham] can do. We’ll have to be better against the opponent, but I’m just excited to see all the fans [at the home opener].” — Ann-Katrin Berger

“[My debut] was truly an incredible experience, and to be able to have another go at it, this time at home with fans here in Jersey, is going to be so amazing. We’re all looking forward to it.” — Sarah Schupansky

“We’re really looking forward to it. We haven’t played at home since the great playoff match against Portland [last year] and we’re really excited to play in front of our fans again, in our stadium, a few first opportunities for some of the people on the roster against the reigning champions Orlando, a fantastic team, so really looking forward to this matchup. Hopefully it’s an exciting game that our fans will enjoy.” — Juan Carlos Amorós

On taking on the Pride:

“Orlando is a good, good team. They have their qualities, and the whole league knows that. Obviously, we’re preparing very, very well to limit their chances.” — Ann-Katrin Berger

“It’s going to be a great game against a very talented opponent. We’re preparing as much as we can, as well as we can, and we’re going to come out and give our best game. Hopefully it’s a good one for all the fans!” — Sarah Schupansky

“Defending as a team is our priority, that’s our style. We don’t only defend with our backline and our goalkeeper. The 11 players are instrumental in the way defend. That’s who we are and what we did last year. I think we were a bit unfortunate to concede [against Seattle] in the way we did, but I think the team defensively did a good job. One shot on target is a very good record and we want to make sure we keep that. Normally in this league you need to score more than one goal to win games, and that’s what we’re going to try to do.” — Juan Carlos Amorós

Other thoughts going into this week:

“[Working with Michelle Betos as a coach now] is a little bit weird, I must say, but I’m loving it. Obviously her experience, her leadership, it helps me as a person. She was a leader last season even though I was playing maybe most of the time, but for me me, I’m maybe taking that role a little bit more. I can learn a lot from her, even now.” — Ann-Katrin Berger

“All of the girls who have been here and even some of the girls who just joined this team but have been in the league for a couple of years have gone above and beyond to make all of us rookies feel comfortable and confident coming into this league. Nealy Martin has gone out of her way to make sure all of us are feeling confident on the field, but also okay off the field. She’s always checking in and making sure we’re okay and feel good going into trainings and games.” — Sarah Schupansky

“[Mandy Freeman] will be sitting out [following the red card last week]. Unfortunately, she’s also been ill this week. Obviously, we know the kind of person and professional Mandy is. We did not appeal the red card. It was a very unfortunate event, but I think sometimes those things just happen. I think it’s very, very obvious that she didn’t mean to hurt the player… it was definitely nothing Mandy intended to do. Hopefully she will be back for [the next match against] Houston.”

Predictions, ya love ‘em, I hate ‘em…

But I’ll do it anyway!

I think this will be another draw for Gotham. The team will be itching to find the back of the net again, but without Freeman available, whoever starts in her stead will have to step up in defending the Pride’s intense attack, particularly from Barbra Banda.

The scariest thing about the Pride is the ability for multiple players to score, not just Banda. In last weekend’s match against Chicago, Pride saw goals from Haley McCutcheon, Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle all before Banda’s brace at the end of the match.

Gotham’s strikers will also be itching to get on the score sheet. Ella Stevens and Esther will be wanting to open up their accounts, and the home opener seems like a perfect place to notch some bangers.

Because of Gotham’s propensity to keep a high line and press in their attacking half to win back the ball, Banda and company can get in behind Gotham’s defenders, especially with the slew of playmakers in the Pride’s midfield. However, Gotham’s stalwart defense has frustrated the majority of NWSL teams over the last season, and with stars like Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, and Emily Sonnett holding it down, along with last year’s goalkeeper of the year Ann-Katrin Berger, it’s not a given that the Pride can recreate what they managed against Chicago in their home opener.

I predict a mild to moderate goal-fest.

Final Score Prediction: Gotham 2 - Pride 2

See you at the blue out!