Match Recap: Gotham FC Defeats Washington Spirit 1-0 in UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Opener

HARRISON, N.J.(April 19, 2023)– Gotham FC earned the club’s first home-field victory, and its third overall thisyear on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spiritin the opening match of the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.The result came after Gotham FC and U.S. Women’s National Team forward Lynn Williams scored in the 56th minute and goalkeeper Mandy Haught kepta clean sheet for all 90 minutes of her first appearance this campaign.

Gotham FC has now won three of its first four matches to start the season, going 2-1-0 in the regular season and now starting off the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup competition 1-0-0. It was also the club’s second consecutive clean sheet, after defeating Orlando, 2-0, on Sunday.

The difference-maker, as she has often been so far this season, was Williams. Off a scramble in front of the Washington goal, Kristie Mewis was able to direct the ball to Williams, who scored with a composedleft-footed strike to the far post.

“I trust Lynn,” said Mewis. “We have a good thing going, so I pinged it back to her. She’s on fire right now so you knew it was going to go in.”

For Williams, the USWNT star acquired by Gotham FC in January, it was her third goal over four matches in all competitions this season.

“I still feel like we have a lot of room to grow, but when you’re winning and learning, it’s a great thing,” said Williams. “The way Gotham FC has welcomed me, I feel like I’ve been here forever. I love being with this team.”

Gotham FC carried play at the start of the game, with forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Svava Guðmundsdóttir earning scoring chances in the first five minutes. The playmaking skills of left backBruninha also created opportunities. In the first half, Gotham FC was credited with seven shots to Washington’s two. Possession was 50-50, with the Spirit’s best scoring chance coming in the final minute of the half.

After Williams’s goal and a series of substitutions in the 63rd minute, Gotham FC continued to control play and locked down defensively to preserve the victory. For the game, Gotham FC led Washington 12-5 in shots, and 5-2 in shots on goal, and was credited with a slight edge in possession.

“We have a really great understanding as a unit of what we’re supposed to do,” said Gotham FC midfielder McCall Zerboni. “When everyone is on the same page like this, you see the results.”



MIllion Dollar Prize Pool for UKG Challenge Cup

UKG has doubled the prize pool for the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, bringing the first-ever million-dollar prize pool to U.S. professional women’s soccer. In tandem with the tournament kickoff, UKG and the NWSL has launched a co-branded “Challenge Accepted” campaign which emphasizes the unwavering support for equity both on and off the field.



Additional information on the UKG Challenge Cup is available onNWSLsoccer.com.

Notes

Ellie Jean Named Player of the Match

For her superb effort anda 90-minute performance, Gotham FC defender Ellie Jean was named Player of the Match. “It took everyone,” she said. “Everyone that comes into the match, we know there’s trust. We worked so hard these last few weeks. We have a winning mentality. We really bring it.”

Haught Gets the Start

Asked for her reaction when Coach Juan CarlosAmoróstold her she was tonight’s starting goalkeeper, Haught said, “I was ready.” Haught proved it, stopping all three shots on target and directing ball movement out of the defensive zone.

Gotham FC Displays Its Depth

With two games this week, Gotham FC is utilizing its lineup depth. Starting tonight’s Challenge Cup game were goalkeeper Mandy Haught; defenders Bruninha, Ellie Jean, Ali Krieger, and Taylor Smith; midfielders Sinead Farrelly, Kristie Mewis, and McCall Zerboni; and forwards Svava Guðmundsdóttir, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Lynn Williams. “We have such a deep roster, it’s great to see so many players involved,” said Taylor Smith.

Second-Half Substitutes Make Their Mark

Subbing in during the victory were Midge Purce (Guðmundsdóttir – 46’), Nealy Martin (Mewis – 63’), Allie Long (Krieger – 63’), Yazmeen Ryan (Williams – 63’), Jenna Nighswonger (Farrelly – 84’). Long received the captain’s armband from Krieger.

Martin Debuts

For Nealy Martin, the win over Washington was her Gotham FC debut. “Since the beginning, it’s been an awesome experience being part of Gotham FC,” said Martin. “We have so many leaders who have helped me. It was fantastic to be part of this win tonight.”

POOL REPORTER QUESTION

*Note: Following the match, a pool reporterquestion was submitted to the match officials on behalf of the media.

Q. In stoppage time, why was there no call on Washington, and was VAR utilized?

A. Yes, the play was checked by VAR. Gotham FC #23 shields the ball with expected minimal contact from the Washington defender with no impact, then falls down going away from the goal.

NEXT UP

Gotham FC returns to action at home on Saturday, April 22 against the NC Courage at Red Bull Arena. Match time is 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on Sale Now

Information on Single Match tickets for Gotham FC home matches is availableHERE. Season Ticket Memberships and group ticket packages are also available by visiting GothamFC.com. Gotham FC Founders Club Members and Season Ticket Members receive the Black Box and its limited-edition items.