HARRISON, NJ (July 27, 2023) – NJ/NY Gotham FC continues its push for a UKG NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal place, when the club meets the Washington Spirit at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Friday, July 28 (7 p.m. ET, Paramount+).
With a record of 2-0-1 in the Challenge Cup, Gotham FC enters the weekend in second place in the East Division and stands among the four remaining unbeaten teams, alongside division rival North Carolina (2-0-2), Western leader OL Reign (3-0-1), and Central frontrunner Racing Louisville FC (4-0-0).
The forthcoming match between Gotham FC and the Spirit marks the third encounter of the season between the two teams. Their most recent meeting on May 28 resulted in a draw, with each team securing a goal. Prior to that, on April 19, the teams clashed in their first Challenge Cup game, with Gotham FC claiming a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from forward Lynn Williams.
Last time out, in its prior Challenge Cup game on Sunday, July 23, Gotham FC overturned an early deficit to defeat the Orlando Pride 3-1 at Exploria Stadium. Following an early goal from the Pride in the ninth minute, rookie sensation Jenna Nighswonger tied the game in the 35th minute with a penalty kick before she assisted McCall Zerboni’s strike from distance in the 55th minute. Gotham FC forward Yazmeen Ryan also scored her first goal with Gotham FC this year.
The 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup tournament kicked off on April 19, and its matches are scheduled concurrently with the league’s regular season. The tournament concludes in September with teams competing for the first-ever million-dollar prize pool.
In advance of the match, Gotham FC added defender Annika Creel (formerly Schmidt) as aNational Team Replacement Player. Creel joins Gotham FC. Creel brings previous NWSL experience with the Houston Dash and most recently won the 2023 USL W League this month with Indy Eleven. She is immediately available for selection for tonight’s game.
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