Gotham FC, defending NWSL champions and current Shield leaders, will enter the playoffs without two key players after forward Jordynn Dudley and defender Bruninha each suffered season-ending injuries.
Bruninha tore the ACL in her right knee during Brazil's 3-1 victory over Argentina in Porto Alegre, likely ruling her out of the 2027 World Cup hosted by Brazil. She was integral to Gotham's 2023 and 2025 championship titles. Dudley, a rookie, sustained a foot fracture in training; she recorded 4 goals and 3 assists in 25 matches (20 starts) and scored in the Challenge Cup win over Kansas City Current.
Gotham president Yael Averbuch West praised Dudley's outstanding rookie season, while Bruninha expressed gratitude on social media despite the setback. The team also lost Emily Sonnett earlier to a ruptured patellar tendon, and playmaker Jaedyn Shaw left U23 camp as a precaution.
Despite the injury crisis, Gotham holds a 4-point lead atop the NWSL table with three games remaining, chasing the club's first NWSL Shield.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing