The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) resumes its regular season this السبت with reigning champion Gotham FC visiting the league leaders, San Diego Wave, for their first encounter of the campaign. This marks the first NWSL action since May 31st, bringing fresh anticipation to the competition.
Currently perched atop the standings, San Diego Wave boasts 25 points, largely propelled by standout performances from Brazil international Dudinha, who leads the team with five goals and four assists. Rookie sensation Lia Godfrey has also made a significant impact, contributing four goals and three assists to the Wave’s impressive tally.
Meanwhile, Gotham FC, positioned fifth in the league, is riding a wave of confidence after clinching the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup last week. They hold a 6-2-3 record, trailing San Diego by just four points, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in this weekend’s fixture.
However, San Diego faces some challenges ahead of the match. Key offseason acquisition Catarina Macario remains sidelined as she continues rehabilitation from a heel injury. Adding to the Wave’s concerns, MVP candidate Dudinha sustained a compound knee injury while representing Brazil during June’s international friendlies, putting her availability in doubt.
On the other side, Gotham FC has also made a significant roster update this week by signing Australian striker Sam Kerr. Although Kerr cannot yet take the field due to pending clearance of her international transfer certificate, her arrival signals a potential boost for Gotham in the near future.
Yael Averbuch West, New York/New Jersey President of Soccer Operations, expressed optimism about Kerr’s signing to Sports Illustrated, stating, “There are very few players in the world who can take over a game the way Sam can. The fact that she chose to return to Gotham speaks volumes.”