Offensive inconsistency means Gotham FC attackers must step up | OneFootball

While growing pains were expected for NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2025 after drastic roster changes, it was expected that the team would grow and adjust as the season progressed. There have also been some injuries, like Rose Lavelle's offseason ankle surgery, that hurt the team, too.

However, Gotham FC should have played better in some of their games and dropped too many points. They should be higher up in the NWSL standings with their current roster. On paper, they still have a talented squad. It might not be like last year's roster, but there should be a few more wins under the team's belt. In other words, they should not be 5-5-5.

Gotham FC needs more players to score

So, what can Gotham do to change their current outlook and move up the table? The answer is easier said than done. More of the players, especially the attackers, must score goals.

The problem at hand is that 10 of the NJ/NY side's 19 regular-season goals have come from Esther González. Geyse has the next highest, with two, and all other scorers have one goal. Additionally, two of the 19 goals are own goals. In a sense, Gotham has only scored 17.

When looking at the 19 goals, 13 have come from four wins where the Bats have scored three or more goals. In six games, the ladies were held scoreless, with three of those matches ending in losses and the other three in draws. The lack of consistency in the attack can be blamed for the record.

Notably, there is too much reliance on González this season. It is great that she is contending for the Golden Boot, but others like Geyse and, when healthy, Gabi Portillo and Ella Stevens, need to find the back of the net. These players should all have a few more goals this season, especially Stevens, who has not scored as of yet.

One cannot forget about Midge Purce, either. The winger has struggled since returning from her ACL tear, which can happen to players. She has no goals and no assists, which is a major factor in Gotham's scoring struggles from players not named González. But even a struggling Purce should have some sort of tally in one of those statistics.

It would also be helpful for Lavelle to find her scoring boots and add some assists. While she is starting games, she is still not 100%. When she is fully healthy, she should become an important contributor to the team.