Gotham FC 'paying the consequences' of CONCACAF W Gold Cup with USWNT star Midge Purce latest victim to early-season injury

A trio of Gotham FC stars are now on the sidelines due to injury as they begin their 2024 NWSL campaign, with all three having played a role in the USWNT's CONCACAF W Gold Cup victory earlier this month.

Purce joined Rose Lavelle and Lynn Williams in the medical room on Sunday after leaving the match just before the halftime break with an apparent left-knee injury. After going down on the pitch due to some slight contact, she tried to catch herself falling, only for her leg to buckle on the turf at Providence Park.

“We are paying the consequences of a tournament that shouldn’t have happened,” Amorós said in his post-match press conference. “Another player playing in the Gold Cup [right before the start of the season], and 10 days later, she’s injured. We’re talking about protecting the players. … But we’re seeing the consequences now.”

With six matches arriving during NWSL preseason, and just after a winter break for the players, the W Gold Cup brought issues for all parties. However, it was the inaugural edition of the tournament, so sweeping changes could still arrive next time around. Lavelle and Williams have yet to appear for Gotham this season, while Purce only managed one and a half games before moving to the injury bench.

Providence is the only soccer-specific NWSL stadium to feature artificial grass, and one of two stadiums used across the entire league with the turf - the other being Lumen Field; a multi-use venue for Seattle Reign FC, the Seattle Sounders and the Seattle Seahawks.

Purce will be evaluated over the coming days to determine the extent of her injury. Meanwhile, Gotham will be preparing for a clash with the North Carolina Courage this weekend as they search for another three points.