Gotham FC officially announced on Friday morning that defender Kayla Duran would be placed on the season-ending injury list after suffering an ACL injury in their last match against Kansas City Current on April 4.
Duran got the start in that match, but went down around the 12th minute with an apparent knee injury. The defender was trying to slow down two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga on the front line, but was stopped by her own knee while running back to defend.
“Our hearts are with (Duran,)” said
Yael Averbuch West, the general manager and head of soccer operations for Gotham FC. “She will have our full support every step of the way in her recovery, and we know she will return stronger.”
Duran officially signed a contract with Gotham last season as a national team replacement player in the summer and stayed through the rest of the 2025 season. She has made 19 appearances across all competitions for the club and signed an extension before the start of 2026 through the 2027 season.
The 26-year-old Massachusetts native had a unique journey leading up to her professional career. The defender started at Boston College for two seasons, spent another two seasons at Brown, then played her final season in 2023 at the University of Southern California while finishing her master’s degree. Duran did not play for an official team in 2024 focusing on her schooling and moved into a non-soccer career. However, she continued to play casually and was invited to a soccer camp in spring 2025, before eventually earning a contract with Gotham FC in the summer.
