Starting with her third save of the game, you could hear the chants begin from the Cloud 9 supporters section as DiDi Haracic was on her way to her fourth shutout of the year.
On a sweltering day in New Jersey, where on field temperatures reached 97 degrees, it was once again the defense of NJ/NY Gotham FC that stole the show.
"I think we've got some great goalkeepers just to work with and I think we do a good job of the training environment to help keep it competitive and to keep them ready so that they can come on and perform. DiDi's done it again tonight being able to keep a cleansheet. She's been doing really well. We can put DiDi in and she's gonna do an absolutely great job," said head coach Freya Coombe.
While the defense once again showed why it is the best in the league, it was the 12th minute goal, a fantastic header for Ifeomea Onumonu off a Caprice Dydasco cornerkick that would be the difference maker in the 1-0 victory for Gotham FC.
"We got into our style, we were able to possess, able to play around with the ball, advance up the field with our possession and I think that's our identity as a team and when we play the way we train and the way we play our most successful, it's just a lot of fun. I thought in the first half we controlled the tempo of the game. We were just working our way up the field with our possession and then that created a lot of forward chances. We had a collective effort especially in the last half. We were just grinding it out for each other and putting in that work and battling which is what we want to see." said defender Sabrina Flores.
What's next for Didi Haracic and Gotham FC?
NJ/NY Gotham FC will have a much needed break this week as they haven't had a week off since the start of preseason. They will return to action June 20 in Orlando against the current team atop the NWSL standings, the Orlando Pride. That match is scheduled for a 6pm ET kickoff and will be broadcast on Paramount+.
- Gotham FC draws in Louisville to force must-win home finale - October 29, 2021
- NJ/NY Gotham FC gets back into playoff picture with drubbing of NC Courage - October 18, 2021
- Portland Thorns escape against NJ/NY Gotham FC - August 29, 2021
