NJ/NY Gotham FC traveled to BBVA Compass Stadium to face the Houston Dash on a hot and humid Sunday night. The team earned a 1-1 draw after an early second-half goal from Gabby Seiler and a late equalizer from Ifeoma Onumonu. With the result, Gotham FC remains in second place with 20 points and extends their unbeaten streak to eight games.
The opening minutes of the game saw Gotham FC come out with a strong attack and the Houston Dash looking to capitalize off the counter-attack. Both teams continued to grow into the game, putting pressure on the opposition's defense and creating chances. Despite the efforts, they headed into the half scoreless.
The second half started with a back and forth from both teams. Less than ten minutes into the half, Houston earned a corner kick that fell to Seiler at the six yard box and buried the volley in the upper left corner to give Houston the 1-0 lead. Gotham FC responded back almost immediately with a goal from Onumonu that was ultimately called back for offside. With the match nearing the end of regulation, Delanie Sheehan played a ball into the box for Onumonu who slotted home the late equalizer. Onumonu has now scored four goals for the team and is level with Margaret Purce as the team’s leading goal scorers. The Gotham FC backline thwarted several stoppage time shots from Houston to close out the match and earn a point on the road.
Gotham FC Head Coach Freya Coombe on the match:
“I thought we started brightly despite the conditions that were pretty tough. We created some chances, I think we had them pretty penned in, and the goal went a little bit against the run of play. I’m disappointed with the way we handled the transition from our corner and obviously gave away another corner which they scored. That was a disappointing moment. I thought we controlled a lot of the game, but I’m pleased with the response of the team. They didn’t stop, they didn’t give up, they just kept going and found that equalizer, which is important as all of our road points add up in continuing our unbeaten record [on the road].
Following Sunday’s match, Gotham FC will return home to take on the North Carolina Courage at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The team will remain at home the following weekend to face Racing Louisville on Sunday, August 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Single and group tickets are now on sale and pricing details can be found here.
MATCH REPORT
Match: Houston vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Date: August 1, 2021
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Weather: High 80s; mostly sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Houston Dash 0 1 1
NJ/NY Gotham FC 0 1 1
HOU – Gabby Seiler 51’
NJY – Ifeoma Onumonu (Delanie Sheehan, 89’)
Lineups:
HOU: 20-Lindsey Harris; 24-Jamia Fields, 25-Katie Naughton (capt.), 11-Megan Oyster, 9-Haley Hanson; 18-Emily Ogle (33- Makamae Gomera-Stevens, 80’), 5-Gabby Seiler (10-Christine Nairn, 63’), 6-Shea Groom; 22-Jasmyne Spencer (28-Cami Privett, 80’), 4-Maegan Rosa (14-Bri Visalli, 57’) (29-Andrea Hauksdottir, 81’), 12-Veronica Latsko
Substitutes not used: 16-Hannah Diaz, 27-Annika Schmidt, 35-Michelle Alozie, 99-Amanda Dennis
NJY: 13-DiDi Haracic; 3-Caprice Dydasco, 12-Gina Lewandowski, 24-Estelle Johnson, 15-Sabrina Flores (8-Erica Skroski, 62’); 7 McCall Zerboni (capt.) (6-Jennifer Cudjoe, 78’), 16-Allie Long, 27-Gaëtane Thiney (2-Brianna Pinto, 62’); 23-Margaret Purce (18-Delanie Sheehan, 37’), 25-Ifeoma Onumonu, 9-Nahomi Kawasumi (19-Elizabeth Eddy, 78’)
Substitutes not used: 5-Nicole Baxter, 14-Kenie Wright, 17-Domi Richardson, 21-Mandy McGlynn
Stats Summary: HOU / NJY
Shots: 13 / 21
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 5 / 9
Fouls: 5 / 5
Offside: 1 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
NJY – Ifeoma Onumonu (caution) 27’
HOU – Shea Groom (caution) 90+6’
Officials:
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant Referee 1: Tiffini Turpin
Assistant Referee 2: Meghan Mullen
4th Official: Melvin Rivas
Budweiser Player of the Match: Ifeoma Onumonu
About NJ/NY Gotham FC:
Originally named Sky Blue FC, the Club underwent a major rebrand in April 2021 and officially changed its name to NJ/NY Gotham FC. Representing New Jersey and New York, the Club plays its National Women’s Soccer League home matches at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The Club has been part of the NWSL since the league launched in 2013. Founded in 2007, Gotham FC originally debuted as Jersey Sky Blue in the W-League of United Soccer Leagues. The Club won its first trophy as Sky Blue FC in 2009 after winning the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer championship. Most recently, Gotham FC played in the 2021 Challenge Cup Final against the Portland Thorns, the Club’s first ever championship appearance in NWSL competition.
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