In retrospect, a 1-1 draw between NJ/NY Gotham FC and Racing Louisville seemed inevitable. The teams have met three times in total this season - first in August and second only three days before this last match. The final score of each match remained unchanged.
Gotham FC was already guaranteed a playoff spot going into Sunday's fixture, but whether or not they were to host a quarterfinal match was yet to be determined. A win would have given Gotham a shot at hosting, but their fate was not entirely in their own hands. The club was relying on the results from another game that same day to turn in their favor. Unfortunately, the Washington Spirit defeated the Houston Dash 1 - 0, putting a 4th place finish out of reach for Gotham FC, even with a win.
Gotham FC players and staff at their final home match of the 2021 regular season (Photo by Edwin Ascencio - JSN)
At half time, coach Scott Parkinson said he knew that they would be heading to Chicago, but he did not communicate this with the players. Parkinson added he was excited to get back to Chicago, where he was previously the assistant coach for the Red Stars. "I know all the food places around there!" He joked. He added that the Red Stars are always in the playoffs, so to win it all, you have to go through them.
Ultimately, the team would walk away with a draw, which would have cemented a 5th place finish either way. Gotham FC will now face the Chicago Red Stars at Seat Geek Stadium on Sunday, November 7th.
Halloween Hijinx
Sunday night's Halloween game started with a trick-or-treat event on the lower concourse of the stadium. Fans showed up in costumes, and Gotham FC supporters group Cloud 9 wowed the crowed with their Halloween themed tifo.
Tifo game on 💯 pic.twitter.com/MO3r2VYPe6
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 31, 2021
According to Natalie Lazo of Cloud 9, the plan for this tifo has existed for months. "Once we were aware we had a Halloween game, we knew something had to be done for the occasion," Lazo explained. "The design was something I drew and planned out with our core group of tifo planners which is Jen [Muller], Melissa [Correa] and me."
The time and hard work that goes into designing and creating the tifo is a testament to the dedication of Cloud 9. After Lazo designed and drew out the idea, Muller took it and made necessary adjustments for scale allowing the image to be translated into the massive tifo seen on Sunday. Nearly a dozen volunteers over three days went to Red Bull Arena to help with the process.
"Insanely, we only started production of this tifo this last Saturday. We worked for over six hours each day over Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and this last Friday," Lazo said. In fact, the group had to finish the tifo in small sections under the Red Bull Arena concourse due to heavy rainfall that preceded the match. "I would paint and immediately had someone behind me to dry it using a heat gun or hairdryer. It was rinse and repeat until it got done."
The imagery of the headless horsewoman holding a soccer ball was not just a nod to the coinciding holiday. Cloud 9 wanted the tifo to be a reflection of the greater NJ/NY area. "We wanted to do a Sleepy Hallow callback because it's a local legend, and Protect Ya Neck is a Wu-Tang Clan song," Lazo said. "I wanted to try and put in local artists and references that connect to the metro area."
First Half Fright Night
In what would be an extremely chippy game, the first half in particular saw a number of players go down with injuries. In the 16th minute, Racing Louisville defender Emily Fox took a knock, and was quickly subbed out by Racing who used a concussion sub.
McCall Zerboni and Kailen Sheridan both required on-field attention, but were able to continue in the match. Because of these injuries, the first half saw four minutes of stoppage time added. It was during those four minutes that Margaret "Midge" Purce would receive the first yellow card of the night.
Second Half Spooktacular
It was another disappointing draw for Gotham FC, who dominated the entire game. A look at the statistics tells the story. In addition to having 63% of possession, Gotham FC had 14 shots compared to Racing's 5. Gotham also boasted 414 accurate passes compared to Racing's 192, and 7 corners compared to Racing's 2. Statistics aside, the game came down to more than just the numbers.
Gotham FC's lone goal came in the 52nd minute after midfielder Allie Long slipped a pass through two Racing players to Elizabeth Eddy, who was making a run down the left side. Eddy picked out Carli Lloyd at the far post who headed the ball down and into goal, just past the Racing Louisville keeper's outstretched leg.
WHO ELSE BUT @CarliLloyd?! #NJNYvLOU | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/5wViVSfL0u
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 31, 2021
With Sunday's game being the New Jersey native's final professional game in the state, the crowd of over 6,000 fans predictably went wild. "Credit to Elizabeth Eddy for a great assist," Lloyd said of her goal. "She just put that on her left foot, whipped it in there, and I was able to leap up and get a header in." Lloyd added that overall, she was proud of the group's performance.
As fate would have it, Gotham FC could not escape the 1-1 draw with Racing. With a controversial penalty call, Racing Louisville's Cece Kizer was able to convert from the spot in the 69th minute.
The game remained contentious for the entire second half, with three more yellow cards being issued, including one to Gotham FC defender Mandy Freeman.
A Final Home State Farewell for Lloyd
And just like that, Carli Lloyd has played her final professional game in her home state of New Jersey. "It's special to be ending my career here," Lloyd said after the game. "I'm a Jersey girl through and through. I've traveled the world, been to many different states, and New Jersey is home to me."
It seems clear that Lloyd holds the Gotham FC organization in high regards. In a speech on the field post-game, Lloyd joked about all the farewell matches she's had. "This feels like the eighth farewell game that I've been playing in, but I'm truly honored, truly grateful," Lloyd said. "I wouldn't want to do it with any other group than this group behind me."
Carli Lloyd on October 31, 2021 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey (Photo by Edwin Ascencio - JSN)
Lloyd continued her praise for her club by highlighting the work of their newly appointed head coach Scott Parkinson. "I think he has been a really great addition," Lloyd said. "He's come in with such great energy, and is the type of coach you would run through a brick wall for. I think he's figured out how we can play well as a group and play to our strengths." Although she sees room for growth, she thinks the direction of the club is positive. "Everyone has been working really hard form behind the scenes to make [Gotham] really special," Lloyd added.
Head coach Scott Parkinson said he felt like the "luckiest fellow in the world" to have a front row seat to Carli Lloyd's final games.
Reflecting on his time with Gotham so far, Scott Parkinson said he felt really lucky to get to work with the group. "It has been exhausting, exhilarating, and everything you can possibly imagine. We've been through so much together in so little time," Parkinson said.
In Parkinson's three months with the team, he has coached Gotham through eight games, six of which were away form home. He had to acclimate to a new staff, new team, and new ownership group, in addition to moving with his wife and dog from Chicago."It's just been the most bonkers three months of my life, but I'm happy I'm here, I'm happy I'm still standing up straight. The future is so bright."
Into The Playoffs!
Gotham FC will take on the Chicago Red States on Sunday, November 7th at 3PM. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
- Mónica Flores Flourishes in Mexico - February 7, 2022
- Millstone Native Sydney Cummings Is Ready to Learn at Racing Louisville - February 1, 2022
- Star Midfielder Frankie Tagliaferri Signs with NC Courage out of Rutgers University - January 24, 2022
