Match Preview: Gotham FC to Host Defending NWSL champion Portland Thorns This Sunday, July 9

Newcomers Maitane López and Katie Stengel Available to Debut for Gotham FC;

Goalkeeper Abby Smith and Midfielder/Forward Yazmeen Ryan Face Former Club

HARRISON, NJ(July 8, 2023)–Gotham FC (6-4-4) will go head-to-head with the reigning NWSL champion, the Portland Thorns (7-3-4), at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, July 9 (5:30 p.m. ET, Paramount+ and MSG Network). This weekend’s match marks the 15th regular season game for both teams and serves as the final match before the league takes a break for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.



Sunday will be the first meeting between these two teams this season with Gotham FC sitting fifth in the standings, while the Thorns are ranked second, with a mere three-point gap between them.



Ahead of this season, Gotham FC acquired midfielder Yazmeen Ryan and goalkeeperAbby Smith, who were members of Portland’s 2022 championship team. Both players have been exceptional this season, earning accolades for their performances. Following Sunday’s match against Angel City, Ryan was named Gotham FC’s Player of the Match, presented by CarMax. Smith won the league’s Deloitte Impact Save of the Week for the fourth time this season, and hasalso been named Bud Light Player of the Week (Week 7) and made the Best XI of the Month presented by Mastercard (May).



Adding to the excitement this Sunday will be Gotham FC’s newest signings, midfielder Maitane López from Spain and forward Katie Stengel. López, who recently joined Gotham FC on a two-year contract with an option year, brings a wealth of experience. She most recently played with Club Atlético de Madrid Féminas, one of the top clubs in Spain and in Europe, and has recorded 42 goals over 11 seasons in Liga F, the Primera División de la Liga de Fútbol Femenin. Stengel, on loan from Liverpool Football Club through Sept. 3, returns to the NWSL after joining Liverpool in January 2022. Last season, she scored nine goals in 15 matches enroute to leading the club to the FA Women’s Championship and earning promotion into the Women’s Super League before contributing 10 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions in 2023