Geyse scored the opening goal, Midge Purce converted a penalty and Esther González’s shot turned into an own goal as Gotham FC cruised past Club América, 3-1, in the semifinals of the Concacaf W Champions Cup on Wednesday night at Estadio Universitario.
Gotham FC advanced to the final of the inaugural W Champions Cup with the chance to clinch a spot in the new FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in 2026 and the first FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028. The winner of the late Wednesday semifinal between the Portland Thorns and Tigres UANL will play Gotham FC at 10 p.m. ET Saturday.
“I’m super proud because we had a mission today: to get into the final,” said Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “And I’m standing here now with that goal achieved. The players deserve a lot of recognition and praise for what they did tonight.”
Gotham FC sealed a shot at its first continental trophy with a dominant performance, especially in the first half. The club scored three goals in 12 minutes and controlled the game from there, claiming its third win in five W Champions Cup matches and remaining unbeaten in all five.
Amorós’s squad now has the chance to win its second major trophy in less than two years.
Everything started with Geyse, who turned in a Player of the Match performance. She lost her marker on a Sarah Schupansky corner in the 21st minute, blasting in a volley from 15 yards out. The Brazilian tormented Club América’s defense all game, dribbling into dangerous areas and working well with González, Purce and Schupansky.
Nine minutes later, Purce won a penalty dribbling past a defender just inside the box on the left side. The 29-year-old stepped up to convert the ensuing opportunity, rifling a right-footed effort into the top left corner past Club América goalkeeper Sandra Paños.
In the 33rd minute, González was played in on the right side, rolling a shot past a sprawled-out Paños. The shot ricocheted off the far post and bounced back over the line off a Club América defender.
Irene Guerrero notched one back for Club América in the 38th minute, but Gotham FC withstood further attacks as Club América chased the game in the second half.
Key Match Points
Gotham FC vs. Club América
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
7:30 p.m. ET kickoff
Estadio Universitario, Nueva Leon, Mexico
Weather: 83 degrees, light rain
Gotham FC (3, 0 – 3)
Club América (1, 0 – 1)
Goal Summary:
Gotham FC
21’ - Geyse (Sarah Schupansky)
30’ - Midge Purce (P)
33’ - Jana Gutíerrez (Own Goal)
Club América
38’ - Irene Guerrero (Nicolette Hernández)
Gotham FC (4-3-3): 30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK); 22 – Mandy Freeman (C), 27 – Jess Carter (72’ 3 – Bruninha), 6 – Emily Sonnett, 4 – Lilly Reale; 7 – Jaelin Howell (72’ 14 – Nealy Martin), 8 – Taryn Torres, 11 – Sarah Schupansky (72’ 13 – Ella Stevens); 23 – Midge Purce (78’ 20 – Jéssica Silva), 9 – Esther González, 10 – Geyse (78’ 34 – Khyah Harper)
Unused substitutes: 12 – Ryan Campbell (GK), 26 – Tyler McCamey (GK); 17 – Mak Whitham, 24 – Emerson Elgin, 90 – Stella Nyamekye
Head coach: Juan Carlos Amorós
Club América (4-3-3): 1 – Sandra Paños (GK); 25 – Jana Gutíerrez (46’ 16 – Sabrina Enciso), 3 – Karina Rodríguez, 15 – Kimberly Rodríguez, 20 – Nicolette Hernández; 18 – Nancy Antonio (57’ 22 – Sarah Luebbert), 5 – Irene Guerrero, 2 – Jocelyn Orejel; 7 – Kiana Palacios (C), 10 – Scarlett Camberos, 19 – Montserrat Saldívar (80’ 17 – Natalia Mauleón)
Unused substitutes: 12 – Itzel Velasco (GK), 13 – Renatta Cota (GK); 6 – Noemí Granados, 9 – Priscila Da Silva, 14 – Alexa Soto, 44 – Alondra Cabanillas
Head coach: Ángel Villacampa
Stats Summary
GFC / Club América
Expected Goals: 1.68 / 1.99
Shots: 10 / 17
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 13 / 13
Offside: 3 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
Gotham FC
62’ Lilly Reale (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul)
Club América
73’ Montserrat Saldívar (Yellow Card - Reckless Offense)
Officials
Referee: Odette Hamilton
Assistant Referee 1: Jassett Kerr-Wilson
Assistant Referee 2: Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing
4th Official: Vimarest Diaz
RAR: Iris Vail