Five players to watch in Gotham FC-Portland NWSL playoff game

Defending champions Gotham FC’s offseason was marked by the free-agent additions of four USWNT standouts.

Rose Lavelle has had her moments of mastery, and Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson have helped solidify the back line.

But there’s so much more that makes Gotham hum, including the team’s signature high-pressing defense and “the amount of attacking players who can score goals,” according to former captain Ali Krieger.

“The front six have been brilliant,” Krieger said. “There’s so much unpredictability.”

With Krieger’s help, we picked out five players to watch in Sunday’s playoff clash against Portland:

Yazmeen Ryan

The 25-year-old midfielder/forward logged her first appearance with the USWNT last month on the strength of a five-goal, five-assist NWSL campaign.

Krieger: “She’s been one of the MVPs for Gotham. She’s involved in a lot of the attacking opportunities, and she’s scoring a lot of the goals in different areas of the field, too.”

Ella Stevens

A less heralded winter pickup, she notched seven goals and four assists, and ranked second in the league in goal-creating actions per 90 minutes.

Krieger: “An awesome addition. She’s really good with her feet. … Super-skillful and technical enough to just kind of get anything done in and around the box.”

The veteran Spanish forward missed time because of injury but still led the team with nine goals, including five in her past four outings.

Krieger: “Has been brilliant just scoring goals. Exactly what we needed her to be this year.”

Ann-Katrin Berger

The German goalkeeper has been a revelation since joining from Chelsea, leading NWSL in most advanced goalie metrics.

Krieger: “You see how she can distribute the ball, and she’s so athletic. She seems confident.”

Sophia Smith

Cannot fail to mention the Thorns’ two-time MVP and star of the Americans’ gold-medal run in Paris.

Has nursed injuries in the second half, yet still finished third in the league with 12 goals.