NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC Falls 1-0 to Portland Thorns, Remains in Playoff Contention

Published on October 7, 2023 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


HARRISON - NJ/NY Gotham FC fell 1-0 to the Portland Thorns on the road despite a strong second-half push for an equalizer. Gotham FC now sits in fourth place in NWSL standings (30 points) ahead of the two remaining matches of the weekend, and the club is still within reach of clinching a spot in the NWSL Playoffs.

Saturday's match kicked off with a back-and-forth first half that saw both sides establishing an attack from the flanks. Gotham FC found success getting into the final third. However, the visitors were unable to convert on the final pass.

Gotham FC midfielder Yazmeen Ryan - a former starter for the Thorns - found an opening in the 43rd minute to fire a shot that went straight into Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby's arms. Following that chance, the Thorns pressed on and Crystal Dunn released a low driven shot in first half stoppage time that was saved by Gotham FC goalkeeper Mandy Haught.

In the final moments of the first half, Gotham FC forward and World Cup champion Esther Gonzalez got in for a 1v1 with goalkeeper Bixby. However, Gonzalez was in an offside position, and the goal was disallowed.

After a scoreless first half, Gotham FC came out with revamped energy and returned to its high-press, fast-paced style of play. However, The Portland Thorns scored the game's only goal in the 54th minute after sending in a second service from a corner kick. Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey hit a flighted ball across the six yard box that was finished by a Hina Sugita header.

Gotham FC earned a chance in the 59th minute, when Gonzalez was pinned on the sideline but advanced the ball with a flick over the defender to Gotham FC forward Midge Purce. The forward drove to the endline and fired the ball across the goal that deflected off of a defender before ricocheting off the near post. Nearly back-to-back efforts ensued, when combination between Ryan and Delanie Sheehan yielded high service to the top far top corner that just missed the post and forward Purce.

Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams had the last close effort before the final whistle, when she volleyed a ball into the top left corner that Bixby stretched to save with fingertips.

Gotham FC will look to clinch a playoff spot on NWSL Decision Day, when the club plays the Kansas City Current at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, Oct. 15 (5:00 p.m. ET, Paramount+). The match will be global soccer icon and Gotham FC Captain Ali Krieger's last career regular season game.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Gotham FC Midfielder Sinead Farrelly

On where she was at the start of the season to where she is now

I think it was something that didn't feel possible for me mentally because now at this last part of the season I do feel so much more comfortable being here and being in this environment and being confident in myself and knowing I belong here. I've just kept pushing myself for different things, and now I'm at the phase where I do feel strong enough and confident enough to take more responsibility.

On reflecting back on this season and some positive takeaways that make her proud

I think a lot of how I have been gauging myself is a lot of my internal experience. Externally, when I'm struggling with things like anxiety, and I felt really afraid, people really couldn't tell. It's like how I feel when I'm playing - my confidence and feeling free and stuff like that - is a lot how I'm feeling progress. I'm genuinely a different person than when I started the season, and it's so amazing to see. It's almost like I'm inspired by my journey, which is cool. It's just evidence for me that if you just keep going, there is so much liberation on the other side.

Gotham FC Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan

On returning to a familiar place against her former team as a member of a new club

It was honestly pretty cool...It was different being on the other side of things, but it was still a really good feeling being back.

On the NWSL Playoffs still being within reach

It's just focusing on the next game. Putting this behind us and knowing that the playoffs are still within our reach, and that's still a goal of ours, and this is not over. It's about putting it behind us, learning from our mistakes, and coming out very strong, and showing everyone who we are and that we can play and that we deserve a playoff spot.

Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós

On the loss but continued hope for a spot in NWSL Playoffs

It's obviously a tough loss, but still have everything in our hands. We work really hard to get into this position and come here to Portland at the end of the season in order to guarantee our playoff and take them over. It was almost a surreal target. We have been able to be here, to be ourselves, to play an offensive game. The final details define the game. Today we have a moment defensively that they took advantage of, and I think we created enough chances to get the equalizer. But sometimes it's the post, a defender on the line, the goalkeeper with a great save again, and we lost one-nil. For us, nothing changes. We are still in a playoff position. Everything comes down to us at home with our fans, and we're going to prepare from now, so that we are sure that we are ready to win the game.

MATCH SUMMARY

Portland Thorns FC (9-6-5, 32 pts) vs. Gotham FC (10-7-3, 33 pts)

Sept. 30, 2023 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1

Gotham FC 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

POR: H. Sugita 54' (S. Coffey)

Misconduct Summary:

None

Lineups:

NJ/NY: GK Haught, D Nighswonger, D Krieger ©, D Edmonds (Stengel, 76'), D Bruninha (Shim, 87'), M Sheehan (Onumonu, 87'), M Maitane, M Ryan, F Williams, F Esther, F Purce (Farrelly, 66')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Betos, D Freeman, D Jean, M Martin, F Flores

TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Sheehan, Purce, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Nighswonger, Ryan, Williams, 1); FOULS: 13 (Sheehan, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 2

POR: GK Bixby, D Klingenberg (Reyes, 71'), D Menges, D Sauerbrunn ©, (Hubly, 61') D Kuikka, M Coffey, M Moultiere (Smith,83'), M Dunn (Rodriguez, 71'), F Weaver, F Betfort (Sinclair, 71'), F Sugita

Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, D Nally, M Vasconcelos, F D'Aquila

TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Sugita, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Sugita, 2); FOULS: 6 (Sugita, 2); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 3

Referee: Danielle Chesky

Assistant Referees: Matthew Schwartz, Melissa González

Fourth Official: Aidan Velasco

VAR: Robi Hullner

Weather: Sunny, 80 degrees

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 7, 2023


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