Gotham FC name unchanged lineup for Chicago Stars clash
Gotham FC will field an unchanged lineup against Chicago Stars FC on Friday at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The NWSL leaders (15-4-6, 51 points) seek a third straight win and Shield progress after a 2-1 victory over North Carolina, while Chicago (5-18-2) visits after a 3-0 loss.
Key Takeaways
- Juan Carlos Amorós named the same starting XI that beat North Carolina 2-1 last Saturday.
- Gotham lead the NWSL by five points over the Washington Spirit and chase the Shield plus a home playoff match.
- Chicago Stars visit under interim coach Karina Báez after a 3-0 defeat to the Spirit.
- Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on Prime Video at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
- Sofia Cook, Kayla Duran, and Emily Sonnett are unavailable for Gotham FC.
Why did Gotham FC keep the same lineup?
According to Gotham FC, Amorós made no changes after a thrilling stoppage-time win sealed by rookie Jordynn Dudley, who completed her first professional brace. That result also clinched Gotham's fourth consecutive postseason berth, extending the club's longest playoff streak.
The Chicago Stars Gotham rematch is their second meeting of the season and Gotham's first home date at Sports Illustrated Stadium since August. Gotham have conceded only one goal across their last five NWSL meetings with Chicago, with four clean sheets in that span.
Who starts for Gotham against Chicago Stars?
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger anchors a back line of Midge Purce, Jess Carter, captain Tierna Davidson, and Guro Reiten—the same quartet for a 13th regular-season start together. Denise O'Sullivan, Jaelin Howell, and Rose Lavelle fill midfield, with Howell set for her 100th career start and 39th straight regular-season start.
Up front, Sam Kerr partners Dudley and club leading scorer Jaedyn Shaw. Kerr has three career goals in four matches against Chicago from her previous stint with the club. O'Sullivan is 51 minutes shy of 15,000 career regular-season minutes. Midfielder Sofia Cook (lower leg) is out; Kayla Duran and Emily Sonnett remain on the season-ending injury list with knee issues.
What is at stake for Chicago Stars vs Gotham?
Chicago Stars FC (5-18-2, 17 points) travel east looking to return to the win column, per the club's match preview. Gotham are hunting a third straight victory and a firmer grip on first place. All-time, Chicago are 10-8-12 against Gotham in regular-season play and 6-5-5 on the road in the series.
Karina Báez is interim head coach for the rest of 2026 after her Aug. 12 appointment. The club also named Vlatko Andonovski chief soccer officer on Sept. 17. Offensively, Jordyn Huitema leads Chicago with four goals. For more oddball and out-of-left-field sports briefs, see our Bizarre News & Florida Man hub.
National coverage is on Prime Video. A Gotham win would strengthen the Shield chase and the push for a home playoff match—the club's first postseason game in New Jersey since 2024.