HARRISON, NJ (July 9, 2023) - For the first time since June 2017, Gotham FC defeated the Portland Thorns, who are the reigning NWSL champions. Following tonight’s result, the teams are now tied for second place in the standings at 25 points, with Gotham FC back among the top three teams in the league and ranked third based on the goals tiebreaker.
At the start of the match, the momentum was immediately in Gotham FC’s favor, as the home side outshot the Thorns 8-3 in the first half. Just six minutes into the match, Gotham FC midfielder Yazmeen Ryan found herself in a 1v1 with Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby, who took down Ryan outside the penalty area. The referee issued a yellow card on the play and following a video review, the call was confirmed.
The Thorns nearly scored their first goal in the 13th minute when an attempted clearance landed at the foot of Thorns forward Morgan Weaver, whose attempt went high over the goal. Portland went on the attack again two minutes later at the 15 minute mark, when forward Izzy D’Aquila got in behind the Gotham FC backline for a shot that went straight to Gotham FC goalkeeper Abby Smith.
Gotham FC opened the scoring in the 21st minute, when Ryan sent a cross-field ball to midfielder Jenna Nighswonger, who served it from the right flank to put it in front of the goal. Despite a Thorns attempt to deflect it, midfielder Allie Long made the run on the far side to tap it in.
Newcomer Katie Stengel, on loan from Liverpool FC, started the match and added a second goal for Gotham FC in the 56th minute after capitalizing on a huge save by Bixby that left the ball sitting on a platter in front of the goal to give Gotham FC the 2-0 advantage.
In the 62nd minute, Thorns substitute Hannah Betfort made an immediate impact by seizing a missed clearance by Gotham FC. Betfort passed the ball to Thorns forward Weaver for a give-and-go and then Betfort finished the play by sliding the ball into the corner, narrowing Gotham FC’s lead by 2-1.
Gotham FC held steady down the final stretch to earn its third regular season win at home in 2023.
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POSTGAME QUOTES:
GOTHAM FC MIDFIELDER NEALY MARTIN
On maintaining composure
“We’ve been working together since February. We’ve just trusted the process and we built a really strong foundation here. When we go through difficult periods of time, it’s easy to go back to that foundation and just start from the beginning, start from the building blocks that we laid early on.”
On battling it out at midfield
“I’m really proud of the way we fought in those moments. We were good on the ball at the beginning of the game, and we were creating really good chances…and winning the ball high up the field, which was really important to our success.”
HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS AMORÓS
On Allie Long''s performance
“I’m very pleased for Allie because she works extremely hard for the team. She’s a winner and getting that goal for her is special. I’m very happy for her.”
On Jenna Nightswonger adapting to a new position
“She’s adapting to the new position, which is not so new anymore, but I think she’s one of the most dangerous players, if not the most dangerous player at the midfield position. I don’t know if anyone is creating as many goals as she is from that position and being a rookie, she deserves a lot of credit for the effort and the work that she’s putting in.”
On Katie Stengel joining the club and scoring in her first game
“She was outstanding…she lasted almost 90 minutes and having a player like herself is allowing other players to shine a little bit more because she occupies defenders….we saw her videos and we’ve been seeing her at training, but you never know what a player can bring until you give them the chance. It really helped the team so we’re extremely, extremely pleased for her and for the team.”
On Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi, who played her final game with Gotham FC tonight
“I never imagined that I was going to be able to coach someone like Naho. I hope every coach has the experience to have someone like her on the team. Naho has made me better, has made our staff better, has opened many eyes on how a team player needs to be, and on top of that is an unbelievable person.”