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HARRISON, N.J. - NJ/NY Gotham FC is back on the road to face the Washington Spirit in each club’s second match of the 2022 Challenge Cup. The teams are set to square off on Friday, March 25 at Segra Field for a 7 p.m. contest.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Gotham fell to the NC Courage in the opening match of the event, 2-0, last Saturday.

Gotham had the first opportunity of the game in the opening seconds after a Paige Monaghan shot went wide, but the Courage were the aggressors the rest of the way. Former Gotham FC-er, Brianna Pinto, netted the first goal in the 22nd minute and Abby Erceg tallied an insurance marker in the 51st minute.

The match marked the Gotham debuts for Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger and Kumi Yokoyama. Additionally, Cameron Tucker, Nicole Baxter, Taryn Torres and Ellie Jean made their NWSL debuts.

Washington earned a point in a scoreless draw last week against Orlando. The Spirit outshot the Pride, 15-11, in a physical contest that saw six different players carded.

OG’s
Gotham FC has a league-high five players on the 2022 roster that have been part of the NWSL for each of its 10 seasons. 

Captain McCall Zerboni has been with the club since 2020 and also has experience with the NC Courage, Boston Breakers and WNY Flash. Allie Long was acquired in April 2021 after spending time with the OL Reign, Portland Thorns and WNY Fury.

Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, WNY Flash), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit) and Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash, Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City) are all also a part of the exclusive list. Additionally, when Mewis makes her Gotham debut she will become just the third player to suit up for six different teams.

ALL-TIME AGAINST WASHINGTON
Gotham FC holds a 9-13-6 record in the series with the Spirit. Last season, Gotham went 1-0-2 against Washington, including a pair of scoreless draws at Washington in the Challenge Cup and in the regular season in a game played at Subaru Park in Philadelphia in a homecoming farewell game for Carli Lloyd on Oct. 6, 2021. Gotham picked up a 3-2 victory at Segra Field, thanks to goals from McCall Zerboni Nahomi Kawasumi and a game-winning score by Midge Purce in the 75th minute to break a 2-2 tie.