CHESTER, PA – Gotham FC fell to the Orlando Pride 2-1 at Subaru Park in the team’s fourth consecutive match away from Red Bull Arena.

Playing in front of a home crowd in Philadelphia, Gotham FC absorbed pressure from the Florida club in the early minutes of the match, with a shot from Julie Doyle hitting the post in the 4th minute.

The best chance of the half for the home team belonged to Nicole Baxter, who earned her first-ever regular season NWSL start. Baxter found the ball at her feet after Paige Monaghan forced a turnover near Orlando’s goal in the 21st minute, but her shot was saved by Erin McLeod.

“I think my role is changing every day and kind of evolving the longer I’m here,” said Baxter when asked to react to her first start. “I think it’s always been in my head that it’s my job to keep the team connected on and off the field. I just see myself as someone who is going to do whatever she’s asked … I’m proud to be in that role.”

Gotham FC enjoyed several more chances in the first half, courtesy of Monaghan, Taylor Smith, and Ifeoma Onumonu, but neither team was able to find a breakthrough before the referee blew for halftime.

The visitors found the opener early in the second half, with Celia Jimenez poking the ball home in the 49th minute after a scramble in the box. In her debut for Orlando, Ally Watt doubled the lead with a cross-body shot in the 73rd minute.

Gotham FC’s response was nearly immediate; two minutes later, two substitutes combined to pull a goal back for the hosts, with Naho Kawasumi serving a cross that Kristie Mewis headed into the back of the net. Unfortunately, the comeback did not materialize, and the match ended 2-1 in favor of Orlando.

“I think we did a good job at breaking them down a couple of times, but I think we need to be more ruthless with it,” said Mewis. “We’re still struggling a bit to get the final product … once we get that, we can be a really dangerous team. We’re just going to keep working this week and we just have to keep going.”

Gotham FC’s next game will see them host Angel City FC at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, August 28 at 5:00 p.m. ET in a special Tackle Kids Cancer Night presented by Hackensack Meridian Health. Fans can purchase tickets at GothamFC.com/Tickets.