RLFC V Gotham -1

Photo by Elizabeth Shaw

Racing will look to build on the momentum from a 4-point road trip at home against (Strictly New Jersey) Gotham on Friday. The big talk around Racing this week has been rightfully focused on Jordyn Bloomer.

Bloomer is a great interview. I found myself coming up with more things to ask her as the media spoke with her on Wednesday. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties only about 2 minutes of it got recorded on Racing’s media site. One of the things she talked about was the closeness of the goalkeeping unit.

Let's get into that unit. Lund is going to be out for the foreseeable future (players can return from the Season Ending Injury list in the same season, so the “SEI list” isn't really an accurate description) so this leaves only Anderson and Bloomer on the roster and in Louisville at the moment. White is due to return in June. The good thing about Bloomer is that people suspected that she would be ready if Lund ever went down injured. Now that it has happened, we don't have any such confidence in the rest of the unit (you might, but it wouldn't be based on much).

Now the situation is that we have a starter between the posts that absolutely has to stay healthy. What is the major drawback to Bloomer (in my opinion)? She doesn't have a great track record of being available for selection for extended periods of time. You might not think that is a fair assessment, so let me present my evidence. Since she has joined the club in 2022 she has been unavailable for sqaud selection for multiple matches in every season, including a couple of extended absences. She is going to be keeper #1 for a while, as long as she can stay fit. If she can't, Racing would have to go with an almost complete unknown.

That is more than I ever wanted to talk about goalkeeping so let's move on. Other than the absolute ball-hoggers of San Diego, Gotham have the most possession oriented style in the league. This will be a great test for Racing’s press. However, if it doesn't work, expect LONG sections of the match with Racing defending in Gotham’s attacking half. Last season's first-half display in Lynn by Gotham was a thing of beauty if you are a fan of controlled possession football. If they do that to Racing again, it could be worse than the 0-2 defeat that Racing endured last year. Flint had a “great” statistical effort in that match and it didn't mean squat. I imagine that she will be given the chance to pad the stat sheet again with interceptions, duels won and recoveries, but what Racing needs from her in this match is to swing possession, not just interrupt attacks. I will keep a close eye on her performance.