Sports stats



NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC Sends World Cup Players Out in Style with 2-1 Home Victory

June 26, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


NJ/NY Gotham FC on game day
NJ/NY Gotham FC on game day
(NJ/NY Gotham FC)

HARRISON, NJ - Gotham FC played to a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars at Red Bull Arena on Sunday night. The club's two second-half goals scored by Lynn Williams and Allie Long culminated Gotham FC's Juneteenth celebration and its World Cup send-off match with added fanfare.

In an end-to-end first half that featured close saves by Abby Smith, Gotham FC created several near chances as well, including a curling shot by Williams to the top corner that hit the crossbar.

Teams went into halftime tied at 0-0. However, Gotham FC changed that straight out the gates.

Gotham FC broke open the scoring one minute into the second half when midfielder Nealy Martin placed a throw-in directly at the feet of Williams on the left side of the 18-yard box. With her back to goal, Williams controlled the ball with her right foot and then struck a shot across her body with the left, sending the ball into the far side netting to give Gotham FC the 1-0 advantage in the 46th minute.

With that throw-in, Martin dished out her first career assist in NWSL action. In addition, Williams' goal was her seventh of this regular season, maintaining her streak of at least seven regular season goals scored in every season she has played dating back to her sophomore season in 2016.

With lightning in the vicinity in the 53rd minute, a weather delay went into effect and paused the match. Teams came back out to resume play once the weather had cleared.

In the 55th minute, the Chicago Red stars equalized after Ella Stevens sent a through-ball in behind the Gotham FC defense to Sarah Griffith, who assisted Cari Roccaro to even the scoreline 1-1.

Gotham FC continued to press with Midge Purce entering the match for her 100th appearance in all NWSL competitions. Purce received the ball and cut inside dribbling to the center of the pitch, where she was taken down. At 20 yards out, Allie Long hit a screamer for the game-winner.

The goal marked Long's first game-winner for Gotham FC, and her first game-winner since scoring one in Sept. 2016 for the Portland Timbers. Prior to Sunday, the last time Long scored was July 2021, ironically when Gotham FC faced the Chicago Red Stars.

Following the match, Gotham FC honored players from both teams who are anticipated to compete in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup this summer. World Cup champion and Gotham FC co-owner Carli Lloyd was on hand to help lead the celebration that honored the following individuals: Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars, USA), Cheyna Lee Matthew (Chicago Red Stars, USA), Bruninha (Gotham FC, Brazil), Sinead Farrelly (Gotham FC, Ireland), Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC, USA), Kelley O'Hara (Gotham FC, USA), Ifeoma Onumonu (Gotham FC, Nigeria), and Lynn WIlliams (Gotham FC, USA).

Gotham FC returns to action on Wednesday, June 28 in a UKG Challenge Cup game away at the Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium (7 p.m. ET, Paramount+).

Gotham FC returns home on Sunday, July 2 for an East Coast-versus-West Coast regular season matchup against Angel City Football Club at Red Bull Arena at 5:30 p.m.

Purchase Tickets at GothamFC.com.

GOTHAM FC STARTING LINEUP

Abby Smith, Bruninha, Alli Long, Ellie Jean, Jenna Nighswonger (Mandy Freeman, 82') Nealy Martin, Kristie Mewis (McCall Zerboni, 90'), Sinead Farrelly, Lynn Williams, Delanie Sheehan (Yazmeen Ryan, 64'), Kelley O'Hara © (Midge Purce, 64')

Check out the NJ/NY Gotham FC Statistics




Images from this story

NJ/NY Gotham FC on game day
NJ/NY Gotham FC on game day
   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 26, 2023


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.

OurSports Central