Team News: Lavelle, Shaw Available for Gotham FC Decision Day Tilt

Key attackers Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw returned to Gotham FC’s setup for today’s NWSL Decision Day tilt with history-making ramifications for coach Juan Carlos Amorós’s team.

First-place Gotham FC can win its first NWSL Shield, given to the league’s regular season champion, with a draw or win against the visiting Utah Royals. Kickoff at Sports Illustrated Stadium is set for 5 p.m. ET, when all 16 NWSL teams will play simultaneously across the country. The hosts could still claim the Shield with a loss – as long as second-place San Diego drops points in its matchup with Bay FC.

In pursuit of its fifth major trophy in three years, Gotham FC received good news this week that Lavelle (neck) and Shaw (knee) – two U.S. Women’s National Teamers who have combined for 22 goals and assists this year – will be available off the substitutes bench after missing last weekend’s 2-1 win at Orlando through injury. Their returns headline an otherwise unchanged team from the vital victory in Florida.

Tess Boade will begin the game in Lavelle’s No. 10 role in central midfield, her 50th NWSL regular season and second consecutive start. The 27-year-old Colorado native will partner in a midfield trio with Denise O’Sullivan and Jaelin Howell, who is making her 43rd consecutive regular season appearance.

Defensively, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger can set a new Gotham FC record with a clean sheet. The German international has 10 this season, matching last year’s mark. Another zero on the scoresheet would also move Berger into sole possession of 10th in the NWSL record books for shutouts across all NWSL competitions.

In front of Berger, Jess Carter starts in central defense, finishing the regular season having started every match. Carter pairs with captain Tierna Davidson, whose career-best third goal of the season stood as the vital game-winner in Orlando. On the flanks, Mandy Freeman starts on the right in her 133rd appearance for the club, while Leila Ouahabi starts again on the left.

Up front, Sam Kerr leads the line with Guro Reiten on the left and Midge Purce on the right. The 32-year-old Kerr could strengthen her hold on the club record books with a goal – or two – against Utah. A two-goal performance would give Kerr 11 braces for her NWSL career, which would set a new league record, and move her into sole possession as the club’s all-time leading scorer across all competitions.

In addition to Lavelle and Shaw, Gotham FC’s bench includes goalkeepers Shelby Hogan; midfielders Savannah McCaskill, Talia Sommer, Meredith Speck and Taryn Torres; and forwards Andrea Kitahata and Olivia Wingate. Sofia Cook, who was a substitute for the Orlando match but is still working her way back from an ankle injury, was given the match off to continue her return-to-play process.

Defenders Bruninha (knee), Kayla Duran (knee) and Emily Sonnett (knee) and forward Jordynn Dudley (foot) are on the season-ending injury list.

Gotham FC lineup vs. Utah Royals FC

30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK)

22 – Mandy Freeman

27 – Jess Carter

15 – Tierna Davidson (c)

4 – Leila Ouahabi

5 – Denise O’Sullivan

7 – Jaelin Howell

28 – Tess Boade

23 – Midge Purce

20 – Sam Kerr

18 – Guro Reiten

Substitutes: 1 – Shelby Hogan (GK); 8 – Taryn Torres, 10 – Jaedyn Shaw, 13 – Savannah McCaskill, 14 – Talia Sommer, 16 – Rose Lavelle, 24 – Andrea Kitahata, 25 – Meredith Speck, 29 – Olivia Wingate