CHESTER, PA (Sunday, July 28, 2024) - NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 at Subaru Park on Sunday night. Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan scored the game-winning goal to help the club secure three points. With the win, Gotham FC now leads Group D of the NWSL x LigaMX Summer Cup with five points. 

Gotham FC opened the match with a close opportunity on goal. Defender Mandy Freeman swung a ball into the box towards forward Ella Stevens. The forward took a touch down, and then tried to slip a ball to forward Katie Stengel, but it was just out of reach. 

In the seventh minute, Gotham FC built out of its own third and combined down the right flank. Freeman found Stevens near the midfield line, where the forward played fellow forward Stengel though for a chance on goal. Stengel fired a shot at the near post, but Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury deflected the shot out of bounds. 

Gotham FC continued to push forward in search of the opening goal. In the eighteenth minute, Ryan drove into the box then cut a ball back to defender Bruninha, who was at the top of the box. She took a prep touch around a defender then shot the ball, but the shot was deflected into the air towards goal, where Stengel was able to head the deflection onto frame. However, Kingsbury touched the ball over the crossbar to deny the opportunity.

Both teams entered the half scoreless. Gotham FC led Washinngton in shots (13-2) and possession (58%-44%)

Gotham FC began the second half, just as the club did the first - dominating possession and creating chances in Washington’s defensive third. Eventually in the 62nd minute, Gotham FC broke through with the game’s lone goal. Ryan earned a penalty kick in the box, and stepped up to bury the shot from the spot. 

A few minutes later, the club had another opportunity on goal when Stevens played Ryan in, behind Washington’s backline. Ryan drove to goal then played a cut-back pass to midfielder Delanie Sheehan for the first time shot, which was denied by a Washington defender. 

Gotham FC held Washington to four shots in the game, while firing off eighteen of its own. The club also outpossed its opposition 55% to 45%. 

Gotham FC will return home Friday, Aug. 2 to face Chivas de Guadalajara at Red Bull Arena (8 p.m. ET). 

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Key Match Notes

• Defender Mandy Freeman tied Erica Skroski for the second-most Gotham FC starts in all competitions (regular season, playoffs, Challenge Cup, Fall Series and Summer Cup) with her 93rd. Sarah Woldmoe holds the record with 111.
• Goalkeeper Cassie Miller kept her third clean sheet in her eighth match in all competitions for Gotham FC.
• Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan scored the first Gotham FC Summer Cup goal ever, converting her first penalty kick on her first attempt in any NWSL match. Ryan has now scored in four different NWSL competitions (regular season, playoffs, Challenge Cup and Summer Cup).
• Forward Katie Stengel made her 125th appearance in all competitions, taking 5 shots, 2 on goal.
• Forward Ella Stevens appeared in her 75th NWSL game in all competitions.
• Forward Mak Whitham became the youngest player to feature in an NWSL match at 14 years and 1 day.
• Gotham FC out-shot Washington 18-4 and had edges of 34-8 in touches in the opposing box and 7-2 in corner kicks.

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MATCH SUMMARY
Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit
July 28th, 2024 – Subaru Park

Goals by Half               1      2     F
Gotham FC                    0     1      1 
Washington Spirit           0     0      0

Scoring Summary:
GFC: Yazmeen Ryan 62’

Lineups:
GFC: Cassie Miller, Bruninha, Sam Hiatt, Maycee Bell (Sabrina Flores), Mandy Freeman (Kristen Edmonds 45’), Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan, Yazmeen Ryan, Ella Stevens (Mackenzie Pluck 90’), McCall Zerboni © , Katie Stengel (Mckenna Whitham 80’)

WAS: Aubrey Kingsbury, Annaig Butel (Tara McKeown 45’), Jenna Butler, Jill Aguilera (Olivia Stone 63’), Maya Gorden, Andi Sullivan (Heather Stainbrook 45’), Paige Metayer, Ashley Hatch, Kate Wiesner (Chloe Ricketts 45’), Ouleye Sarr (Makenna Morris 68’), Brittany Ratcliffe

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