Cook and Rookie Kitahata Set for NWSL Debut Starts

Gotham FC will hand first starts to Sofia Cook and rookie Kitahata when they host expansion side Denver Summit FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Coach Juan Carlos Amorós adjusted his XI for the second match of a three-game homestand in eight days.

Lineup changes and midfield pairing

Cook replaces Rose Lavelle in midfield and pairs with Jaelin Howell. Howell has 13 possession wins this season, second most on the team.

Savannah McCaskill keeps her spot. This marks her fifth straight appearance for Gotham since signing in December.

Attack and rookie background

Rookie Kitahata signed with Gotham in January from Stanford. She made her professional debut in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup third-place win over ASFAR.

Kitahata, 23, made her NWSL regular season debut last Saturday. She entered in the second half against the North Carolina Courage.

Front three and veteran presence

Sarah Schupansky starts alongside Kitahata and Katie Lampson. Lampson is making her 24th appearance since rejoining Gotham in July 2025.

The trio gives Amorós a mix of youth and experience up front.

Defense, goalkeeping and recent form

The back four is unchanged from last Saturday. Kayla Duran joins Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett and captain Jess Carter.

Gotham has allowed five shots on target through two matches. That total is tied for the fewest in the NWSL, and the team has recorded two shutouts.

Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has gone 391 minutes without conceding in NWSL play. She aims for a fifth consecutive NWSL clean sheet, a run dating to the 2025 semifinals.

Bench, injuries and roster notes

The substitutes list includes Shelby Hogan, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle and Talia Sommer. Forwards on the bench are Jordynn Dudley, Esther González, Khyah Harper, Midge Purce and Mak Whitham.

Defenders Bruninha and Mandy Freeman are listed out with injuries. Midfielders Jaedyn Shaw and Taryn Torres are also sidelined per the NWSL availability report.

Newest signing Guro Reiten remains blocked by visa issues and has not yet traveled to the U.S.

Broadcast information

The match will stream for free on Victory+. Viewers can watch at victoryplus.com or via the Victory+ app.

Gotham FC projected lineup vs. Denver Summit FC