HARRISON, NJ (Friday, August 23, 2024) – NJ/NY Gotham FC will host the Portland Thorns in its first NWSL Regular Season match since the Olympic break, which will take place at Red Bull Arena on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports). 

This will be Gotham FC's second match of the week, as the club wrapped up its international break schedule with a clash against the 2024 Women's Super League champions, Chelsea FC Women. Former Chelsea defender Jess Carter scored Gotham FC's lone goal on a set-piece delivery from defender Bruninha in a 3-1 defeat at home.

Prior to the club’s matchup against Chelsea, the team had a stellar showing in the NWSL x LigaMXF Summer Cup, going the entire tournament without conceding a goal and advancing the final. 

Gotham FC’s last NWSL regular season match came on July 6th, securing a 2-1 victory against Angel City in Los Angeles before heading into the Olympic break.

The Portland Thorns last played July 31st in the NWSL x LIGAMXF Summer Cup, narrowly defeating Cascadia rival Seattle Reign 1-0. 

Going into the weekend, the teams are closely matched in the standings, with Gotham FC in fourth place and the Thorns just one spot behind in fifth. The club aims to maintain its strong defensive form, as Gotham FC currently ranks second in the NWSL in conceded goals. Gotham FC also leads the league in tackle percentage on the defensive end. 

This match will also welcome back Gotham FC’s seven Olympians. Gold medalists Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Lynn Williams, Jenna Nighswonger, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, and Bronze medalist Ann Katrin-Berger will be honored after the match. 

Key Notes

• Gotham FC did not allow a single goal in its four NWSL x Liga MXF Summer Cup matches, with the most recent game being a 1-0 win over Angel City in the semifinal. The run of four consecutive clean sheets is tied for the longest streak in all competitions in team history, also doing so in four straight in May 2013.
• Gotham FC did not concede a goal in the Summer Cup, the only club to do so.
• Gotham FC has advanced to 3 finals in 3 NWSL competitions with its semifinal victory over Angel City FC. The 2024 Summer Cup final will join the 2021 Challenge Cup and 2023 NWSL Championship.
• Goalkeeper Cassie Miller recorded 3 shutouts in the Summer Cup in as many games.
• Midfielder Delanie Sheehan has scored 2 of her 3 career NWSL goals in knockout matches, with her strike against LA joining her goal in the 2023 NWSL playoff quarterfinals against North Carolina.
• Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan's 10th assist in all NWSL competitions set up Sheehan's game-winner against LA.