Gotham FC's Ifeoma Onumonu scored the equalizer in the 84th minute to end the game with a tie against the North Carolina Courage at Red Bull Arena. The first home game for the team proved to give the team what they needed to extend their unbeaten streak to two games in the tournament.
Gotham started with a few changes in the lineup from previous games. Domi Richardson, Gina Lewandowski and Michelle Betos all got their first start for the home side. The Courage put forth a similar lineup from earlier games except for the addition of Rylee Baisden upfront.
North Carolina came out strong early in the first half. Their first chance came from a corner kick that Betos conceded. Carson Pickett struck the ball, but Betos was able to make the save to tally her first of many in the game. The Courage had control of the game for most of the first half, having quite a few shots but not many on target.
Betting on @MichelleBetos 🙌@GothamFC | #yerrrr pic.twitter.com/FyZiJuNDyP
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 3, 2022
In the 24th minute, Gotham's Paige Monaghan fouled Baisden right outside the box to set up the perfect free-kick for the Courage. A minute later, Debinha expertly struck the ball around Gotham's wall to get the game's first goal. In the 33rd minute, Baisden struck a ball to the bottom right corner, but Betos saved it. The rest of the half saw the Courage taking control of the field and allowing Gotham to have three shots off target.
Coming back from halftime, the Courage came out as dominant as they were in the first half. Changes in the 59th minute from Gotham saw Jennifer Cudjoe and Nahomi Kawasumi sub for Taryn Torres and Richardson. Head coach Scott Parkinson said the Kawasumi for Richardson substitution was due to Richardson's yellow card earlier in the game. Both sides saw many fouls in the back half of the game. The game slowed down in the sense of on-target shots as well.
In the 84th minute, Onumonu headed the ball passed Courage's keeper Katelyn Rowland off a corner from Kristie Mewis. This secured the tie for both teams who shared the points. Onumonu said, "Having Kristie has been amazing... [She] energized me and played it quickly and it came perfectly to where it needed to be," Onumonu said regarding the corner kick Mewis played in.
IFY DUNKED ON EM 🔥🔥🔥 @ify_on22 pic.twitter.com/pWjmdL91py
— HAPPY BLACK HISTORY FOREVER (@DiasporaUtdPod) April 3, 2022
Both teams shared the points after goals from Onumonu and Debinha. Gotham looks to increase their unbeaten streak to three once they face the Spirit in their next game.
What's Up Next For NJ/NY Gotham
Gotham plays their second home game of the season against the Washington Spirit on Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m. You can watch Gotham on Paramount+
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