Gotham FC started a three-match road trip out west with a 2-2 draw with Portland Thorn FC at Providence Park, a result overshadowed by the concern over what looked like a serious knee injury suffered by defender Emily Sonnett.
Sonnett went down inside the opening 10 minute of the match, and after Gotham had grabbed an early lead through a well-worked team goal finished off by Midge Purce. That came from another double-digit, methodical passing sequence as Gotham built out from the back and eventually broke down Portland, though the bright start of the early goal got dimmed significantly once Sonnettt went down.
It was a non-contact injury, in that Sonnett appeared to get a foot caught in the artificial turf at Providence Park, twisting awkwardly and immediately pointing at her knee and calling for assistance once she went down.
A stretcher was required, with Sonnett unable to walk off on her own at the stadium she called home for four seasons while with the Thorns from 2016 through 2019, and concern now turns to the severity of the injury for the Gotham and United States women's national team defender.
The 32-year-old had made 16 appearances in all competitions this season, a staple in the center of Gotham's defense, and acting Gotham coach Shaun Harris after this match said of the injury, "It's really difficult when you lose such a great and important player that early in the game."
Gotham seemed understandably thrown off by the injury, conceding a Portland equalizer some 10 minutes after Sonnett exited, with Renee Lyles hitting a perfect lofted shot that arced over Ann-Katrin Berger and into the side netting. Berger had to make her best save of the game only a few minute after the Portland equalizer, getting low to deny Pietra Tordin after the Portland winger was picked out by Sophia Wilson.
While knotted at one at halftime, the Thorns would grab a lead early into the second half. They caught Gotham's defensive line upfield and out of position after turning possession over, eventually scoring through a Jessie Fleming shot from outside the box that took a big deflection off Midge Purce on the way towards goal, sending Berger the wrong way and giving Portland a 2-1 lead.
Gotham still scraped back to get a draw, with Sam Kerr, in her first start since returning to Gotham, scoring her first 2026 goal in the 62nd minute off a corner.
6 years and 306 days later, Sam Kerr is back on the NWSL scoresheet 🥹
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 25, 2026 at 12:08 AM
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Kerr wasn't done playing a big role in this match, as in the 73rd minute, the Australia international got dragged down by the jersey while trying to get past the last Portland defender, Jayden Perry, who saw a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
Gotham thus had an 11-v-10 advantage for the last 15 minutes and change, but couldn't do anything to take advantage of that, with the game fizzling out rather than turning into a chance-fest for the visitors as they tried to make it four straight wins.
Roster ramifications
Sam Kerr got the start because Esther González wan't with the team, out with an excused absence, though it's unclear for how long González will be out. Now having lost Sonnett in Portland, the Gotham defense will once again need to find new answers, specifically a new partner for Tierna Davidson. Jess Carter might no longer be able to fill in at right-back, where she'd been lining up more of late, including during the start of this match in Oregon.
Having Mandy Freeman and Bruninha both back healthy and available for selection could help, but for however long Sonnett is out, that is still a big presence in the middle that Gotham will now need to replace. Shaun Harris, acting coach as this match marked the beginning of a five-week parental leave taken by Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, mentioned that defensive midfielder Jaelin Howell also could chip in in central defense if needed.
Gotham has been one of the league's most stingy defenses this season and Sonnett played a part in that. The other challenge is the packed schedule the team faces while now dealing with a serious injury to one of its key contributors. Gotham plays midweek at Bay FC before closing out their road trip next Saturday night in Houston against the Dash.
The depth will be tested, and maybe more so if forward Jordynn Dudley — who entered as a substitute at halftime for her first action since picking up an injury early in The Queens Classic — sees retroactive punishment for what looked like a serious foul that went under-punished during the Thorns draw.
Some group of Gotham players, pending availability, will be right back at it on Wednesday night, kicking off at 10:00 pm ET as they face Bay FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
