As the 2026 NWSL playoffs draw closer, both Gotham FC and Boston face significant setbacks with season-ending injuries to crucial players. Gotham, currently leading the league and holding the NWSL Shield, has been particularly hard hit.
The club placed rookie sensation Jordynn Dudley on the season-ending injury list due to a foot fracture. Dudley had an impressive run this season, contributing four goals and three assists in 25 appearances. Alongside her loss, defender Bruninha suffered a torn ACL while representing Brazil, an injury that not only sidelines her for the remainder of the club season but also jeopardizes her participation in the 2027 World Cup.
Despite these challenges, Gotham FC maintains a strong position at the top of the table, boasting a 16-4-7 record and a four-point lead. This resilience follows an earlier blow when defender Emily Sonnett was sidelined with a knee injury earlier in the year.
Boston’s Key Goalkeeper Out for the Season
Meanwhile, Boston, currently ranked 13th in the NWSL, has also suffered a critical loss. USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy was ruled out for the season after sustaining a partial PCL tear during Boston’s October 3rd victory over seventh-placed Portland. Murphy’s injury represents a significant hurdle for the Legacy as they prepare for the closing stages of the campaign.