NJ/NY Gotham FC travels to Cheney Stadium this Saturday, August 21, to take on OL Reign. The match will be presented digitally to Gotham FC fans by Lyre’s. Kickoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET, and the match will be streamed on Paramount+ (U.S.) and Twitch (international).

NJ/NY Gotham FC enters Saturday’s game with a 1-1 draw at home against Racing Louisville FC. The team earned its sixth draw of the season after another late-equalizer from Ifeoma Onumonu. Louisville got on the board early when Ebony Salmon found Nadia Nadim unmarked on the back post who easily tapped home the goal. With regulation time winding down, second half substitute Nahomi Kawasumi played an entry pass to Onumonu at the top of the box. The forward executed a skillful turn in traffic and curled a right-footed shot into the corner for the late equalizer to salvage a point at home. Onumonu has now scored a team high five goals on the season, two of which have resulted from late game equalizers. Her late game heroics earned her Week 13 Budweiser Player of the Week honors.

Budweiser Player of the Match Allie Long turned in another impressive performance and has been instrumental in Gotham FC’s success throughout the season. As the team worked through on-field challenges with a new formation, Long was consistent in her ability to play out the back and distribute precise passes in the attacking half. During Sunday’s match, Long recorded a 98% passing accuracy (59/60 passes) and won 90% of the duels she faced.

OL Reign is coming off a 0-1 loss against Kansas City snapping their three-game winning streak. The lone scorer of the match was Victoria Pickett in the 73rd minute. Kansas City won a free-kick outside of the box that hit OL Reign’s wall and fell favorably to the feet of Victoria Pickett who took a low-driven shot near post to give Kansas City their first win of the season.

This match will be the third time these two teams face off this season. Their last encounter was on June 26 at Cheney Stadium where Gotham FC beat OL Reign 3-0 in dominant form with goals from Onumonu, Margaret Purce, and Domi Richardson. Gotham FC has shut out OL Reign in the last four consecutive matches across all competitions. 

Head Coach Freya Coombe on Upcoming Match:

“This is our third game of the season against OL Reign although they have had a change in leadership since our previous meetings. Our last match we were able to take advantage in transition and finished clinically. The key to the game will be shutting down their midfield.”

Following Saturday’s match, Gotham FC will remain on the west coast and head south to the Rose City for a midweek match up against the Portland Thorns on Wednesday, August 25 at 10:30 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. In a quick turnaround, Gotham FC will return home to Red Bull Arena on Sunday, August 29 to take on the visiting Orlando Pride on Olympic Return Night. Join Gotham FC as we welcome back Olympians Carli Lloyd, Kailen Sheridan, and Evelyne Viens. Single and group tickets are now on sale and pricing details can be found here.

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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