Gotham FC finally wins a game at Red Bull Arena in 2024 with a 1-0 win over North Carolina Courage thanks to a first half goal from Lynn Williams. Williams, who wore the captain’s armband, picked up the offense for the club, barreling into the box and forcing saves from the Carolina keeper. Her 11th minute goal was the decider while the defense did their best to hold the line in a tense second half.
Williams started the game strong with an effort in the first minute. From there Gotham pushed forward with incisive passing. Once such sequence led to the first goal when Ella Stevens found Esther Gonzalez, who laid it off to Williams for a shot that beat the keeper. From there Gotham continued to push but couldn’t find the second goal to alleviate the tension that has plagued the club through the early part of their title defense.
The second half saw the Courage grow into the game. Ashley Sanchez had the team’s best chance, hitting the post in the 67th minute, nearly finding the equalizer. Gotham’s high line nearly helped the Courage find the equalizer later in the game when a bad bounce left the opposition moving forward. Luckily Gotham’s defense was stout, holding the lead and giving the club their second win of the season.
The result moves Gotham into ninth place, which isn’t where they preferred to be, however it is an improvement, especially since the team has played less games than others. It also ends a four-game winless streak as the club prepares for a two game road trip that will take them to Houston and San Diego.
STARTING XI:
Gotham FC: Berger; Bruninha (85′ Bell), Sonnett, Hiatt, Nighswonger, Ryan (79′ Dunn), Martin, Sheehan, Stevens (59′ Lavelle), Gonzalez (79′ Stengel), Williams
North Carolina Courage: Murphy; Williams, Kurtz, Berkely (45′ Weatherholt), Rauch (74′ Pinto), O’Sullivan, Miura (74′ Jackson), St-Georges (45′ Lussi), Sanchez, Pickett (65′ Matsukubo), Hopkins
SCORING SUMMARY:
11′ (Gotham FC) Lynn Williams (1) assisted by Esther Gonzalez
DISCIPLINE:
21′ (North Carolina Courage) Bianca St-Georges – YELLOW CARD
53′ (Gotham FC) Yazmin Ryan – YELLOW CARD
(Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)