NJ/NY Gotham FC secured a 1-0 win against the North Carolina Courage after a little over a 90-minute rain delay at Red Bull Arena halted the game five minutes into halftime. Gotham was presented with a similar situation for their home opener against OL Reign, which saw a similar 90-minute rain delay, but the team lost the match. The New Jersey team's record improved to 3-1-0 overall, and they currently sit in third in the standings.
First-year Gotham forward Lynn Williams came in clutch in the 80th minute with the winning goal and her 60th goal in the NWSL. She also surpassed 10,000 career minutes early into the game.
Highlights
The game started with both teams trading possession and looking for the opening goal. Yazmeen Ryan and Kelley O'Hara put together good sequences down the right side of the pitch to give Gotham greater chances. In the 18th minute, the home side had a good look on net. Ryan found O'Hara streaking into the box, where she took the one-time shot, but it sneaked right over the goal to keep the game level.
Before the end of the first half, Ryan once again sent the ball across the box where Williams just missed the tap in as the ball rolled wide. Both players had a solid look, but it wasn't enough, as the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Coming back from the rather long halftime, Gotham immediately brought the energy despite the rain that still fell on the wet pitch. Williams had another look on goal in the 48th minute, but she shot the ball right at the North Carolina keeper Casey Murphy. Abby Smith had her first huge save of the game five minutes later as she made a diving save that resulted in her teammate clearing the ball out of danger.
🎥⚽️😘
also, the loud cheers >>>>y’all are the best. pic.twitter.com/O2WNxAa8sl
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) April 23, 2023
Smith made another outstanding save five minutes later. Brittany Ratcliffe took a one-time shot on goal as she was running to the center of the box, but Smith made the diving save to keep the ball out of the net and protect the follow-up rebound.
In the 80th minute, Gotham scored the lone goal of the game. Allie Long started the attack as she sent the ball down the right flank in the path of Ryan who gathered the ball and began pushing toward the box. She managed to dribble around Kiki Pickett and cut into the box where she cut back, and Williams took one touch to slot the ball into the back post past Murphy.
Delay and all, that’s why we play. 😏
+3 sure sounds nice. #YERRRR pic.twitter.com/J5QCTimSJb
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) April 23, 2023
Gotham rode out the rest of the game, winning 1-0.
What's Up Next for Gotham FC
Gotham returns to the pitch on Sunday, April 30, against the Kansas City Current at Children's Mercy Park at 8 p.m. You can stream the game on Paramount+.
- NJ/NY Gotham FC secures first playoff win in club history - October 24, 2023
- NJ/NY Gotham FC Drops to Fourth in the Standings After Loss to San Diego - June 7, 2023
- NJ/NY Gotham FC Announces Waterloo Sparkling Water as an Official Partner - May 31, 2023
