
Gotham FC Narrowly Falls to San Diego Wave 1-0 in 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup
March 15, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
HARRISON, NJ - In the 2024 UKG Challenge Cup on Friday night, NJ/NY Gotham FC welcomed 14,241 fans for the second highest attendance in club history at Red Bull Arena. The club fell 1-0 to San Diego Wave FC on a late header by forward Alex Morgan.
Despite the result, Gotham FC led San Diego in total shots (12), tackles (18), and completed crosses (16).
This match saw a plethora of Gotham FC players making their debuts at Red Bull Arena, including first-round draft pick Maycee Bell, defender Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, goalkeeper Cassie Miller, and midfielder Emily Sonnett.
Gotham's first scoring chance came in the 21st minute, with forward Midge Purce taking her defender one-on-one and delivering a pinpoint cross to midfielder Delanie Sheehan. Sheehan nearly slotted in the first goal of the evening on a curling shot, but it sailed just over the crossbar.
Seconds later, an identical bending shot came from the nearside box after a tough tackle from Sheehan that ricocheted to Esther for the shot. However, this shot, again, drifted just above the crossbar.
San Diego would respond with a goal-scoring chance of their own in the 33rd minute by way of a shot from forward Jaedyn Shaw aimed for the nearside corner, but Gotham FC newcomer and goalkeeper Cassie Miller came out of her box and made a sliding tackle to clear the ball.
At halftime, both teams were remained scoreless. Gotham and San Diego stood even in passes completed (169), with Gotham FC having the edge on shots (7) and shots on goal (2).
The second half proved to be a tactical matchup with attacking opportunities winding down for both squads. The entire last 45 minutes only featured two combined shots on goal and three total corner kicks.
San Diego broke the deadlock in the 88th minute with an Alex Morgan header from a corner kick delivered by Savannah McCaskill.
After seven minutes of stoppage time, the match ended 1-0.
Gotham FC will begin the 2024 NWSL Regular Season on the road against the Portland Thorns on March 24th and the North Carolina Courage on March 30th. Gotham FC returns to Red Bull Arena for its home opener on April 14th against the Kansas City Current.
MATCH SUMMARY
Gotham FC vs. San Diego Wave
March 15th, 2024 - Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Gotham FC 0 0 0
San Diego Wave FC 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
Alex Morgan (88')
Misconduct Summary:
Yellow Cards:
Gotham FC: Delanie Sheehan (69'), Esther Gonzalez (72'), Nealy Martin (75'), Bruninha (90')
Lineups:
NJ/NY: GK Cassie Miller, D Bruninha, D Tierna Davidson, D Kelley O'Hara © (Ella Stevens), D Maitane Lopez (85' Maycee Ball), M Nealy Martin, M Yazmeen Ryan (66' Emily Sonnett), M Delanie Sheehan, F Midge Purce (76' Jenna Nighswonger), F Katie Stengel (66' Crystal Dunn), F Esther Gonzalez
Substitutes Not Used: GK Michelle Betos, M Taryn Torres, D Sam Hiatt, D Mandy Freeman
TOTAL SHOTS: 12
SD: GK Kailen Sheridan, D Christen Westphal (61' Kaitlyn Torpey), D Abby Dahlkemper, D Naomi Girma, D Hanna Lundkvist, M Emily van Egmond, M Makenzy Doniak (71' Danielle Colaprico), M Elyse Bennett (60' Sofia Jakobsson), M Savannah McCaskill, M Jaedyn Shaw (90+1' Amirah Ali), F Kyra Carusa (46' Alex Morgan)
National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 15, 2024
- San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup - San Diego Wave FC
- Gotham FC Narrowly Falls to San Diego Wave 1-0 in 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- San Diego Wave FC Wins 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Against NJ/NY Gotham FC as National Women's Soccer League Kicks off 2024 Campaign - NWSL
- Houston Dash Sign 2024 NWSL Draft Pick Midfielder Kiki Van Zanten - Houston Dash
- Bay FC Signs Defender Maddie Moreau - Bay FC
- KC Current Launch Special Art Exhibit Honoring First U.S. Women's National Team at CPKC Stadium - Kansas City Current
- Houston Dash Travel to North Carolina for 2024 NWSL Kickoff - Houston Dash
- The Assist: Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville - March 16, 2024 - Orlando Pride
- Lindsey Vonn Ownership Investment in Utah Royals FC Continues Commitment to Empowering Underserved Girls - Utah Royals FC
- Week 1 Preview: NWSL Pitch Notes - NWSL
- Washington Spirit Unveils Promotion & Giveaway Schedule for 2024 Home Matches - Washington Spirit
- Courage Host Dash Saturday - North Carolina Courage
- Racing, IHeartMedia Louisville Announce Landmark Local Radio Broadcast Partnership - Racing Louisville FC
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- Gotham FC Announces Additional Updates to Roster - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Bay FC and NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California Announce Regional Television Partnership for 2024 NWSL Season - Bay FC
- NJ/NY Gotham FC Reveals Reimagined Fan Experience for 2024 - NJ/NY Gotham FC
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- Racing Set to Open 2024 Campaign at Home vs. Orlando - Racing Louisville 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.
Other Recent NJ/NY Gotham FC Stories
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