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Gotham FC Advance to the Women's Cup Final
February 27, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
CALI, COLOMBIA - NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated Deportivo Cali 1-0 in the opening match of The Women's Cup Colombia on Tuesday night at at Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero. The match is a part of the team's first preseason tournament of 2024 in Cali, Colombia.
In the opening minutes, Gotham FC settled into the match through possession, which opened opportunities on the attacking side. At the 15-minute mark, defender Kelley O'Hara found forward Katie Stengel inside the eighteen-yard box, where the forward chested the ball down to forward Esther for a shot. The ball deflected and fell to midfielder Delanie Sheehan, who fired a shot off the half-volley that was saved.
Later in the half, Gotham FC found some success down the flanks. In the 37th minute, forward Ella Stevens found space down the left side and played a ball into the box, where rookie defender Maycee Bell attempted to redirect on goal but was off target. Then, in the first-half stoppage time, Esther created separation from the defender inside the box and lifted a ball to the back post, where defender Maitane connected on a header that went just off frame.
Goalkeeper Cassie Miller was called upon early in the second half when she had to bravely dive at the feet of a Deportivo Cali forward to preserve a clean sheet.
Gotham FC continued to create opportunities in the attacking third at the beginning of the second half, but was unable to break through until the final moments of the match.
At the death, Gotham FC non-rostered invitee McKenna Whitham found the back of the net on a play that began with Maitane and Sheehan. The two cleverly combined down the near-side, where Sheehan drove a ball across goal. The ball deflected and found Whitham, who buried the shot first time.
With the 1-0 win over Deportivo Cali, Gotham FC advances to the final of The Women's Cup, where the club will face the winner of the América de Cali versus Racing Louisville match on Friday, March 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós
On the match...
"It was definitely a very difficult game. I think the conditions, the opposition was fantastic. They knew the game plan to make it very difficult for us. But we knew we needed to stay calm and the longer the game goes, the more tired they were going to get. And the final minute goal from Mac was fantastic because obviously she is a special young player we decided to give a chance. We're very happy to see her score the game-winning goal."
On the preseason tournament...
"I think for us to come to Colombia is an unbelievable experience. In the women's game in America, we are still missing that international factor of competing in other countries against other styles. For us coming here - being welcomed by the passion of the Colombian people and getting to know the football here and the amazing talent and to compete against it is an amazing experience for us."
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 27, 2024
- Racing Tops América de Cali, Advances to TWC Colombia Final - Racing Louisville FC
- Gotham FC Advance to the Women's Cup Final - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Gotham FC Announces CarMax as Jersey-Front and Marquee Partner - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Racing Adds Academy Players to Preseason Roster for Colombia Matches - Racing Louisville FC
- Portland Thorns FC Unveil 2024 Forever Thorn and Reflection Kit - Portland Thorns FC
- San Diego Wave FC Unveils New 2024 Del Sol and Poderosa Jerseys - San Diego Wave FC
- Nike Unveils New 2024 Racing Louisville Kits - Racing Louisville FC
- Washington Spirit Unveils Groundbreaking New Look for 2024 Season - Washington Spirit
- Courage Unveils 2024 Kits as Part of Historic NWSL-Wide Refresh - North Carolina Courage
- Orlando Pride Introduces Two New Kits, Presented by Orlando Health, Ahead of the 2024 NWSL Season - Orlando Pride
- Gotham FC Reveals 2024 Primary and Secondary Kits - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Angel City Football Club Reveals 2024 Home and Away Kits - Angel City FC
- National Women's Soccer League and Nike Unveil Vibrant New Kits in Historic Uniform Reset Ahead of the 2024 Season - NWSL
- Kansas City Current Unveil 2024 Primary and Secondary Kits Ahead of Inaugural Season at CPKC Stadium - Kansas City Current
- Chicago Red Stars, Wintrust Announce Partnership for Significant Community Investment - Chicago Red Stars
- Seattle Reign FC Unveils 2024 Primary and Secondary Kits - Seattle Reign FC
- Houston Dash Unveil 2024 Kits in Commemoration of 10th Anniversary and Space City - Houston Dash
- Bay FC's Inaugural NWSL Match against Angel City FC Moved to March 17 - Bay FC
- Angel City Football Club Home Opener Date Changed to Sunday, March 17 - Angel City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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