NJ/NY Gotham FC Remains in Playoff Hunt with 1-1 Draw at Louisville

In its first-ever trip to Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, NJ/NY Gotham FC earned a point in a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville FC with goals scored by Ifeoma Onumonu and CeCe Kizer. The match was presented to Gotham FC fans by NJM, the club’s official auto, home, and renters insurance partner.



Now unbeaten through its last seven games, Gotham FC remains in fifth place in the NWSL standings, with 34 points through 23 matches at 8-5-10. The team can officially clinch a spot in the NWSL playoffs with a North Carolina loss to Portland on Saturday or a win in its next match against Louisville on Sunday.



The action started early in the match, when a combination between Carli Lloyd and Ifeoma Onumonu in the host’s six-yard box led to a rebound goal after Louisville keeper Katie Lund redirected the ball at close range. The 6th minute goal gave Gotham FC the lead, and the score remained 1-0 through the half.



Gotham FC came out of the locker room after the half hunting for a second goal, but the Racing Louisville backline stood determined, denying all of the visitors’ chances. In the 51st minute, Onumonu hit a shot off the woodwork. Racing took advantage of the opportunity to get a quick counter, and CeCe Kizer slipped a ball past Kailen Sheridan to even the score.



Gotham FC came close to breaking through the Racing backline repeatedly to take back the lead, taking a total of 19 shots to Louisville’s nine. Sheridan came up big to deny Cheyna Matthews in the closing minutes of the match and keep the score even at one.



Next, Gotham FC will return home to Red Bull Arena for the final match of the regular season, hosting Louisville on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE.



MATCH REPORT



Match: Racing Louisville FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Date: October 28, 2021

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium; Louisville, K.Y.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Weather: Mid 50s; showers



Scoring Summary:1 2 F

Racing Louisville 0 1 1

NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 0 1



NJY — Ifeoma Onumonu 7’

LOU — CeCe Kizer (Katie McClure) 52’



Lineups:



LOU: 23-Katie Lund, 16-Julia Ashley, 18-Kaleigh Riehl, 4-Gemma Bonner, 14-Nealy Martin (12-Sinclaire Miramontez, 86’), 2-Lauren Milliet, 19-Taylor Otto (8-Freja Olofsson, 59’), 17-Yuki Nagasato, 5-CeCe Kizer, 22-Katie McClure (20-Cheyna Matthews, 73’), 9-Ebony Salmon (7-Savannah McCaskill, 59’)

Substitutes not used: 33-Jorian Baucom, 13-Emina Ekic, 11-Emily Fox, 21-Shelby Money, 3-Erin Simon



NJY: 19-Elizabeth Eddy, 12-Gina Lewandowski, 3-Caprice Dydasco, 16-Allie Long, 7-McCall Zerboni, 9-Nahomi Kawasumi (4-Paige Monaghan, 69’), 25-Ifeoma Onumonu (20-Évelyne Viens, 84’), 23-Margaret Purce, 22-Mandy Freeman, 1-Kailen Sheridan, 10-Carli Lloyd

Substitutes not used: 11-So-Dam Lee, 17-Domi Richardson, 13-Didi Haracic, 27-Gaëtane Thiney, 8-Erica Skroski, 6-Jennifer Cudjoe, 24-Estelle Johnson



Stats Summary: LOU / NJY

Shots: 9 / 19

Shots on Goal: 3 / 7

Saves: 6 / 2

Corner Kicks: 3 / 11

Fouls: 10 / 11

Offside: 1 / 3



Misconduct Summary:

LOU — Julia Ashley (caution) 31’

NJY — Carli Lloyd (caution) 90’



Officials:

Referee: Samantha Martinez

Assistant Referee 1: Chris Shurfranz

Assistant Referee 2: Maggie Short

4th Official: Chana Forstall

Budweiser Player of the Match: Allie Long