HARRISON, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit resumed their usual hostilities under the bright early afternoon sunshine at Sports Illustrated Stadium. For Gotham FC, while sitting on the final playoff spot, they are looking to keep their unbeaten streak alive as they climb the table from a lengthy international break.
Washington, on the other hand, entered the match in third place, tied with Orlando in the standings and unbeaten in five games. They are determined to secure their position and aim for an even higher spot, especially with the return of Trinity Rodman from injury. Rodman scored the decisive goal in stoppage time during their 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns last Sunday, bolstering their offense as they look to earn three points against their rivals.
The Spirit nearly got on the scoreboard first in the 26th minute, with Gotham badly giving away the ball on their end, Rosmonde Kouassi’s shot glanced off the post, giving the home supporters a massive sigh of relief.
However, Gotham FC’s ranks were reduced to 10 players in the 30th minute after midfielder Geyse picked up a red card after a rough foul, called by the video assitant referree.
Esther González’s chance to put Gotham FC on the scoreboard was thwarted by a brilliant save by the Spirit’s goalkeeper, Aubry Kingsbury, diving to the middle of the box to keep the match scoreless.
The second half featured a number of close calls by both teams. Rosmonde Kousassi took a through ball from Croix Bethune and tried a difficult angle to get the ball in the net, but it missed wide to her left.
Gabi Portilho gave it a go, but her shot was blocked by the stout Washington defense, ever so resolute to keep the hosts scoreless.
By the time the final whistle was blown by referee Jackly Metz, both teams wound up having to share the points, although that wasn’t the result they needed, nor even wanted. While Washington moved up to second place with the point, NJ/NY Gotham FC moved up to 7th place. Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros praised his team’s fight a resiliency throughout the match, knowing that the best is yet to come with the latest additions to the team as they begin the long march up the table.
Starting Lineups:
NJ/NJ Gotham FC: Ann-Katrin Berger, Jessica Carter (Kayla Duran 79′), Mandy Freeman, Emily Sonnett, Lily Reale, Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle (Nealy Martin 63′), Khyah Harper, Geyse, Sarah Schupansky (Katie Stengel 63′), Esther González (Midge Purce 88′)
Washington Spirt: Aubrey Kingsbury, Kate Wiesner (Courtney Brown 58′), Rebeca Bernal, Tara McKeown, Esme Morgan, Hal Hershfelt, Narumi Miura (Makenna Morris 71′), Gabrielle Carle, Croix Bethune (Heather Stainbrook 88′), Gift Monday (Trinity Rodman 58′), Rosemonde Kouassi
Scoring Summary:
None.
Disciplinary Summary:
11′ | Washington Spirit – Kate Wiesner – Yellow card
30′ | NJ/NY Gotham FC – Geyse – Red card
59′ | NJ/NY Gotham FC – Rose Lavelle – Yellow card
61′ | Washington Spirit – Narumi Miura – Yellow card
72’| NJ/NY Gotham FC – Esther González – Yellow card