Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: NWSL+, Paramount+
CURRENT WEATHER FORECAST (Harrison, NJ – 7:30 p.m. ET)
Temperature: 81°F
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 5 mph from the southwest
Conditions: Clear skies, low chance of precipitation
Pitch Impact: Ideal conditions for high‑tempo play; ball should move quickly on a dry surface.
CURRENT ROSTERS
NJ/NY Gotham FC
Forwards: Lynn Williams, Esther González, Katie Stengel, Jenna Nighswonger (hybrid), Yazmeen Ryan Midfielders: Rose Lavelle, Delanie Sheehan, Nealy Martin, Maitane López, Kristie Mewis Defenders: Tierna Davidson, Mandy Freeman, Kelley O’Hara, Jenna Nighswonger, Bridgette Andrzejewski Goalkeepers: Cassie Miller, Michelle Betos
San Diego Wave FC
Forwards: Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Sofia Jakobsson, Makenzy Doniak Midfielders: Danielle Colaprico, Emily van Egmond, Rachel Hill, Maria Sánchez Defenders: Naomi Girma, Abby Dahlkemper, Christen Westphal, Kaleigh Riehl Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan, Lauren Brzykcy
INJURY REPORT
Gotham FC
Rose Lavelle – Questionable (ankle)
Kelley O’Hara – Probable (hamstring management)
Mandy Freeman – Out (ACL recovery)
San Diego Wave
Alex Morgan – Probable (groin tightness)
Abby Dahlkemper – Questionable (back spasms)
Makenzy Doniak – Out (knee)
RECENT FORM
Gotham FC – Last 5 Matches
W 3–0 vs Louisville
D 1–1 at Houston
W 2–1 vs Washington
L 0–2 at North Carolina
W 3–2 vs Chicago Trend: Strong home form; attack increasingly fluid with Esther and Williams combining well.
San Diego Wave – Last 5 Matches
W 2–0 vs Angel City
L 1–2 at Kansas City
W 3–1 vs Portland
D 0–0 at Seattle
W 2–1 vs Orlando Trend: Defense stabilizing; Girma’s return to full fitness has tightened the back line.
SERIES HISTORY
All‑time: Gotham leads 5‑4‑1
At Red Bull Arena: Gotham leads 3‑1‑1
Last meeting (2026): Wave 2, Gotham 1
Key trend: Gotham’s midfield has historically controlled possession, but San Diego’s direct play has produced high‑quality chances.
KEY MATCHUPS
1. Esther González (GOTH) vs Naomi Girma (SD)
Esther’s movement inside the box is elite, averaging 0.58 goals per 90. Girma’s anticipation and ability to win shoulder‑to‑shoulder duels will be critical. If Girma limits Esther’s touches in Zone 14, Gotham’s attack becomes more predictable.
2. Lynn Williams (GOTH) vs Christen Westphal (SD)
Williams’ pace and pressing intensity challenge Westphal’s distribution. If Westphal is forced into rushed clearances, Gotham can generate second‑ball opportunities.
3. Jaedyn Shaw (SD) vs Tierna Davidson (GOTH)
Shaw’s creativity and ability to drift between lines will test Davidson’s positioning. Davidson excels at stepping into midfield to disrupt play, but Shaw’s quick release passes can break pressure.
4. Rose Lavelle (GOTH) vs Emily van Egmond (SD)
If Lavelle is fit, her ability to manipulate tight spaces is unmatched. Van Egmond’s physicality and range of passing can tilt the midfield battle toward San Diego if Lavelle is limited.
TACTICAL OUTLOOK
NJ/NY Gotham FC
Shape: 4‑3‑3
Approach: Possession‑dominant, high press, Lavelle as creative fulcrum
Key Advantage: Ability to overload central channels and create cutback chances
Concern: Vulnerable to diagonal balls behind O’Hara and Nighswonger
San Diego Wave FC
Shape: 4‑2‑3‑1
Approach: Compact mid‑block, rely on Shaw/Morgan combinations, Girma anchoring defense
Key Advantage: Transition efficiency; Wave generate high‑value chances with fewer passes
Concern: If Dahlkemper is unavailable, aerial defending becomes a liability
BETTING TRENDS
Gotham are 6‑1 ATS at home in their last seven.
Wave are 4‑2 ATS in their last six overall.
Unders have hit in 3 of San Diego’s last 4 matches.
Gotham have scored 2+ goals in 5 of their last 7 home matches.
San Diego have conceded 1 or fewer goals in 4 of their last 5.
MATCH ODDS
San Diego Wave + 220
NJ/NY Gotham FC + 110
Draw + 220
Over 2.+ – 100 Under 2.5 – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 6, 2026
