Photo Credit: Cloud9SBFC
NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the North Carolina Courage 4-3 in an absolute goal fest in their second match of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup. Goals were scored by Midge Purce (2), Carli Lloyd and Evelyne Viens for Gotham FC and Debinha (2) and Jessica McDonald for the Courage. The win puts Gotham FC at the top of the table in the Eastern Division.
After a level start, the action kicked off in the 18th minute as a combination of poor defending from the Courage and a great run and finish by Purce put Gotham FC on the board. Purce got the ball around mid field before sprinting past several Courage defenders for a breakaway on goal. Courage GK Casey Murphy was able to get a hand on the shot, but it was too powerful Gotham FC took the early lead. The Courage answered quickly, however, as Debinha leveled the score. This time it was Gotham FC with the defensive issues as Jessica McDonald was left open on the right side and was given time to set up a nice cross toward the goal. The ball took a deflection in the box but Debinha was all alone front and center and was able to slot it in past Gotham FC GK DiDi Haracic.
Three more goals over the next ten minutes would leave Gotham FC with a 3-2 lead at the half. Debinha added to her goal total shortly after her first. McDonald once again was left wide open down the right side with Debinha streaking down the middle. McDonald fired off a cross that found Debinha almost perfectly and a well timed strike gave Debinha her second of the night and the Courage the lead. Purce shortly answered back for Gotham FC as Carli Lloyd lofted the ball over the Courage midfield and found Paige Monaghan down the right side. Monaghan took it almost all the way to the goal before crossing it over to Purce who had gotten in behind the defense and managed to get a toe on the ball to level the score. Gotham FC took the lead in the 32nd minute as Imani Dorsey found Carli Lloyd streaking across the front of the goal with plenty of space to get the ball over to her left foot and past Haracic to put Gotham FC ahead before halftime.
The Courage came out as the aggressors in the second half, but for the most part, both teams settled and it was a fairly even back and forth until the Courage tied the game in the 50th minute. Meredith Speck battled for a ball in the final third of the pitch and sent a ball toward McDonald in front of the goal. The ball bounced in front of Haracic who came out to try to pick it up, but collided with McDonald who was able to get her head on it to tie the score 3-3.
In the late moments of the game it looked like the game may end in a draw, but Gotham FC had a goal left in them. Elizabeth Eddy found Iffy Onumonu in space on the right side. Onumonu took it almost to the end line before crossing it toward the goal. Evelyne Viens was able to get a foot on it giving Gotham FC the lead and the win in stoppage time.
After the game, Gotham FC Head Coach Freya Coombe noted that the game was probably very exciting for neutrals and fans and commented on some of the team’s game plan execution and how the return of several players on international duty factored into the game.
“It was excellent. We knew it was going to be a moment where we could look to counter attack and look to build our possession. With the return of player of some players from international duty we knew we could put out a much more attacking front line and have really good depth for the game changers to come in and, as they did, make a big difference. Fantastic game and really competitive match.”
Coombe also credited the Courage for their performance and giving them tough competition as always.
With the win, Gotham FC move to the top of the table in the East with the Courage in second place. NJ/NY Gotham FC play the Washington Spirit on Tuesday while the NC Courage play Racing Louisville FC on Monday.
