The depth of Gotham FC’s roster is being tested.
After winning the first victory of Saturday’s season, Gotham (1-2-1) flew to Los Angeles this week to start a nine-day three-city road trip.
Gotham began his trip with a 4-0 victory over Angel City FC on Friday.
They are scheduled to play for the Portland Thorns on Monday and for the Washington Spirit on April 26th.
“Obviously, we need to prepare our teams to win every game, and that’s our goal,” Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós said Thursday. “But at the same time, we try to protect our players, and our players’ safety always comes first. …We need team depth to really show. We need players to step up. We need teams to be mentally strong.
Such tough cross-country trekking challenges have been exacerbated by injuries the team has already endured this season.
Gotham opened a training camp without star midfielder Rose Lovell.
And club captain Teana Davidson suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament in the team’s third match of the season.
Sofia Cook (thighs) and veteran defender Ella Stevens (Buck) were featured in the team availability report for Friday’s game, but are seen daily, according to the team.
Goalkeepers Shelby Hogan and Ryan Campbell have also been injured.
Hogan is on the 45-day injury list after Amoros explained it as a “small procedure” with his thumb. Campbell also misses the swing of this three game after hurting the shoulder.
Their absence prompted Gotham assistant goalkeeper coach Michelle Betos to step out of retirement to act as a backup.
The team also signed former Princeton goalkeeper Tyler McCailey as a replacement for a short-term injury.
The health of the team is my biggest concern at the moment.
But Gotham hopes to be able to use his first victory as Momentum Builder.
“We have to lean against each other and make sure everyone is ready,” defender Jess Carter said. “Everyone really matters if they start the game, if you come, if you don’t come, if you don’t. And I think everyone needs to make it happen. And we are all perfect for us to get three points in every game we come, whether it’s in training or if it’s a game or not.”
