As Halloween approaches, so does Gotham FC’s last game. The team has certainly had a “frightening” path to the playoffs, and with Chicago’s recent win over the Orlando Pride, only a few scenarios remain to get the team across the finish line and into the postseason.
Somehow, throughout the duration of the season, the club has managed to have anywhere from one and three games in hand compared to the rest of the table. Gotham FC has suffered the least defeats in the league: only five. However, they lead the league in draws this season with ten, one of which occurred at the hands of Racing Louisville on Thursday night.
Finally, Gotham FC is on an equal number of games with the rest of the league’s nine teams and sits solidly in 5th place.
With six teams going into the playoffs, Gotham FC has most certainly taken the path of most resistance. For two games in a row, a win would have solidified the team’s first playoff spot since the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013.
While still within reach, their fate comes down to the final weekend of the season where they will again take on Racing Louisville, this time at home. With a win or a tie, Gotham FC will secure a playoff spot. Even with a loss, there is still a chance the team could eke into the top six.
Carli Lloyd slips by two defenders and picks out Ify Onumonu for the lead. 1-0 to Gotham FC (🎥 @NWSL)pic.twitter.com/SsqBdsNaVz
— AllForXI (@AllForXI) October 28, 2021
ONE LAST PLAYOFF PUSH
Because of a rescheduled game, Racing and Gotham were scheduled to play each other twice in the span of a week; first on Thursday in Louisville, and then again this Sunday in Harrison, New Jersey.
In their mid-week matchup, Ifeoma Onumonu would score first for Gotham in the 7th minute, but Racing Louisville, who had already been eliminated from playoff contention, was happy to play spoiler to Gotham’s playoff push by scoring an equalizer in the 52nd. The two teams had previously matched up at Red Bull Arena on August 15 which also ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the post-game after their most recent draw in Louisville, Scott Parkinson said, “We didn’t get it done tonight… but Louisville deserves all the credit.” He did not think it was better or worse to play against the team twice in a row in such quick succession. “It’s just the game of football in the NWSL,” Parkinson said.
Gotham FC’s Elizabeth Eddy agreed with coach Parkinson regarding their schedule, saying, “It is what it is.” In terms of Thursday night’s results, Eddy didn’t hold back. “It’s not good enough,” she said. Gotham FC will not let themselves get caught up in the oddity of their schedule. Instead, the group is focused on their singular goal: making it into the playoffs.
THE ROSTER MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
After their disappointing draw in Louisville, Gotham FC will have one final chance to make their case against Racing on their home turf, which is likely to provide a morale boost. “I think it’s going to be really important to have home field advantage,” defender Mandy Freeman explained after Thursday night’s game. “Having fans there will really boost and give us energy.”
As a team, Gotham FC has experienced a true rollercoaster of a season. One contributing factor to their ups and downs has been a slew of player injuries. Forwards Paige Monaghan and Margaret “Midge” Purce only recently took to the field in September after seeing injuries that had them out most of the summer. Defender Mandy Freeman also suffered an injury earlier in the season and played her first full 90 minutes on Thursday night.
Just when it seemed like Gotham would have their full roster, outside back Imani Dorsey suffered a head injury during a game at Kansas City on October 22nd. She was unavailable for the team’s game at Louisville on Thursday, and is unlikely to be available for their final match on Sunday.
With the absence of Dorsey, coach Parkinson turned to Elizabeth Eddy to play outside back. Eddy has traditionally played as a midfielder, but has certainly been up to the task of playing where she is needed. “Any chance to just be on the field and help my team get results, I treasure,” Eddy explained. “It’s a fun challenge.” Eddy held her own for much of the game, but will likely need to be up to the challenge one last time on Sunday.
CAN GOTHAM FINALLY BEAT LOUISVILLE?
Whether you call it chaotic or competitive, expecting the unexpected is a necessary tenant of watching the NWSL. Gotham FC, who has won against strong teams this season including second place OL Reign and and last year’s NWSL Champions the North Carolina Courage, has been unable to secure a win against second-to-last place Racing Louisville.
Gotham FC’s first matchup against Racing was not only during Monaghan and Purce’s injuries, but also during the Olympics, meaning the team was without forwards Carli Lloyd (USA) and Evelyne Viens (CAN) who were in Tokyo representing their countries.
Without the majority of their attacking power, former head coach Freya Coombe decided to experiment against the bottom of the table Racing. Instead of their usual 4-3-3 formation, she put in a 3-5-2, with Ifeoma Onumonu and Delanie Sheehan leading the pack.
Such a formation perplexed both fans and casual NWSL watchers, and unfortunately it did not seem to provide the attacking boost that Coombe had hoped it would. Racing Louisville’s Nadia Nadim was able to score right away in the 13th minute, leaving Gotham FC chasing the game the entire night until finally, Ifeoma Onumonu was able to equalize late in the match.
The struggle for Gotham FC in their final match will be different. With many of the squad’s starters coming off of international duty just before their mid-week game, there was concern that the players could be overextended. Most notably, Carli Lloyd played 65 minutes in a friendly against South Korea on Tuesday, only to play a full 90 minutes against Louisville two days later. She will likely play another full 90 on Sunday given that it is her last regular season match with Gotham FC before the world champion retires.
Estelle Johnson, Gotham’s regular starting center back, was unable to play on Thursday after coming back from international duty with Cameroon. Coach Parkinson said she had likely picked up a stomach bug on her travels. Hopefully, Johnson will feel rested and recovered in time for Sunday’s final match.
A strong defensive performance has been paramount to Gotham’s success, as they have only conceded 20 goals in 23 matches. This is amongst the lowest in the league, second only to the Portland Thorns who have conceded 17 goals in 23 games.
No words for this @Kailen_Sheridan save 😱#LOUvNJNY | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/wosROqhhvO
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 29, 2021
THE PLAYOFF POSSIBILITIES
Making the playoffs is still very much in Gotham FC’s hands. Should history repeat itself and Gotham draw Louisville, the team would still clinch a playoff berth. Where they are seeded, however, is another story entirely.
Gotham FC can still come in as high as 4th place, or miss out on the playoffs all together. Winning their game on Sunday is the only way to stand a chance of hosting a quarterfinal match on November 7th.
Scenario A: Gotham comes in 4th place:
- Gotham FC win; AND
- Washington Spirit loss OR draw
Scenario B: Gotham comes in 5th place:
- Gotham FC draw.
OR
- Gotham FC loss; AND
- Houston Dash draw or loss; AND
- NC Courage draw or loss.
Scenario C: Gotham comes in 6th place:
- Gotham FC loss; AND
- Houston Dash loss OR draw; AND
- NC Courage win.
OR
- Gotham FC loss; AND
- Houston Dash win; AND
- NC Courage loss or draw.
Scenario D: Gotham does not make the playoffs:
In order for Gotham to not make the playoffs, the following would have to occur:
- Gotham FC loss; AND
- Houston Dash win; AND
- NC Courage win.
If your head hurts after reading that, don’t worry. The picture will become much clearer after the Portland Thorns take on North Carolina Courage on Saturday night. Until then, Gotham FC might have to wait until Halloween to find out if they’ll get a trick, or a treat.
HOW TO WATCH GOTHAM FC AND SAY GOODBYE TO CARLI LLOYD
NJ/NY Gotham FC will their final regular season home game at 3PM ET at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The game will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network. Tickets are available at gothamfc.com.
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