The 2024 NWSL season kicks off on Friday with the Challenge Cup between reigning Shield winners San Diego and and reigning Champions Gotham FC.
Gotham will be without two of its star players, as both Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle have injuries that will keep them out of the game. Williams reportedly has a thigh injury, while Lavelle is nursing a lower-leg injury.
San Diego, meanwhile, doesn’t have any significant injuries heading into their matchup, though they do have a number of players returning from the USWNT’s Gold Cup run, who may be on a load restriction.
San Diego has won all four of the team’s previous matchups.
Makenzy Doniak will be one to watch for the Wave, having scored against Gotham in each of their last two matchups. Alex Morgan, meanwhile, has a club-record 10 goals scored against Gotham.
The reigning NWSL champions reloaded in the off-season, having added Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson, as well as Lavelle.
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