HARRISON, NJ (Sunday, November 10, 2024) - NJ/NY Gotham FC advanced to the NWSL Semifinals with a 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns. The first score of the match came in the 67th minute by defender Tierna Davidson, and capped off with a game winner from midfielder Rose Lavelle in the 97th minute. 

Gotham FC had its first chance in the 12th minute of the match. Midfielder Rose Lavelle took a strike straight from the top of the box, but Thorns keeper Shelby Hogan stopped it from going past the goal line. 

Neither team was able to break the even score in the first half. Despite the 0-0 score, Gotham FC led Portland in shots (4-1), possession (56%-44%), and accurate passes (179-133). The club also held the Thorns to 0 shots on target. 

In the 57th minute, Gotham FC had its next scoring opportunity. Another clean strike from Lavelle neared a goal, but Hogan stepped in front to keep the score level. 

The opening goal for Gotham FC was scored in the 67th minute. On a free kick delivered across the box from Lavelle, the ball traveled across the entire back line of the Thorns and at the feet of Davidson. The defender took one touch and volleyed the ball into the back of the net for the goal. 

Portland equalized in the 74th minute. On a free kick sent in from the side of the box, the ball connected with forward Reilyn Turner, who headed into the back of the net to bring the score 1-1. 

Gotham FC found its game winner in the 97th minute of the match. After maintaining possession, the ball made its way to midfielder Delanie Sheehan, who drove the ball across the box finding Lavelle, who buried it to take the 2-1 lead with just minutes left in the match. 

In its first ever home playoff game, Gotham FC earned a 2-1 victory. In the win, the club led in total shots (16-6), shots on target (5-2), and total passes (443-332).

Gotham FC will travel to take on the Washington Spirit in Washington D.C. on Saturday, Nov. 16 (CBS). 

 

###

KEY NOTES

• Sunday’s match was the first playoff home game in Gotham FC history.
• Gotham FC beat the Portland Thorns in the playoffs for the second year in a row after winning a semifinal last year.
• The attendance of 15,540 is a club record.
• Gotham FC scored its 11th goal in the last 15 minutes of a match, second only to Washington (12).
• Gotham FC is 18-0-3 (10-0-1 at home) when scoring first in the NWSL regular season and postseason this year and has not lost in 34 matches when scoring first.
• Gotham FC has scored in its last nine games in NWSL competition overall and last eight NWSL competition games at home.
• Tierna Davidson’s goal was her first for Gotham FC, first in her playoff career and first since August 22, 2019 for Chicago against Orlando.
• Lynn Williams passed out her fourth career playoff assist on the Davidson goal, moving out of a tie with Lauren Holiday and Jess McDonald into sole possession of first place in league history. It was her 37th assist in all NWSL competitions, one short of McDonald’s record of 38.
• Rose Lavelle scored her second playoff goal and the latest playoff goal in regulation in league history (96:14). The other one was against Gotham FC in the 2023 final for Seattle. It was also her 20th in all NWSL competitions and eighth game-winner. Lavelle has scored in her last three NWSL home games.
• Delanie Sheehan picked up her first postseason assist on the Lavelle goal.
• Next Saturday’s semifinal will be the 40th game in the all-time series with Washington, the most-played matchup for both clubs, but the first in the NWSL playoffs.

 

MATCH SUMMARY

Portland Thorns vs. Gotham FC

November 10, 2024 | Red Bull Arena

 

Goals by Half               1    2    F

Gotham FC                    0    2    2

Portland Thorns            0   1     1

Scoring Summary:

POR: Reilyn Turner (Olivia Moultrie 75’)

GFC: Tierna Davison (Lynn Williams 67’), Rose Lavelle (Delanie Sheehan 97’)

Misconduct Summary:

GFC: YC: Jess Carter (74’)

Lineups:

GFC:  Ann-Katrin Berger, Mandy Freeman (Bruninha 90’), Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter (Jenna Nighswonger 82’), Nealy Martin, Ella Stevens, Lynn Williams (Delanie Sheehan 90’), Rose Lavelle (McCall Zerboni 101’), Yazmeen Ryan, Esther 

POR: Shelby Hogan, Marie Müller, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes, Jessie Fleming (Olivia Moultrie 65’), Sam Coffey, Hina Sugita, Morgan Weaver (Payton Linnehan 92’), Sophia Smith (Alexa Spaanstra 103’), Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 65’)
 

###