3 things we learned from the draw between Gotham FC and Bay FC

On Sunday night, NJ/NY Gotham FC finished their road trip out west with a match against Bay FC. The Bats were the expected favorite to win.  However, based on the opposite fixture, the home side was good enough to make this extremely challenging and competitive, and they did so. As a result, the points were shared, with the evening ending in a 1-1 draw.

Lineup wise, Jaadyn Shaw made her first NWSL start for the team, replacing Gabi Portilho in the Starting XI.  Otherwise, it was a mostly unchanged Starting XI from the last NWSL game against San Diego Wave FC.  It appears, based on the rotation with the CONCACAF W Champions Cup games, that Juan Carlos Amorós has the players that he wants to start in the NWSL. 

Nevertheless, the lineup and those who came on as substitutes could not make enough of a difference to lead Gotham FC to all three points.  Rose Lavelle opened up the scoring in the first half, but Racheal Kundananji’s incredible strike in the second half saw the match end in a draw. In some ways, it is a miracle that the team from the Bay area did not score another, especially with how they dominated the pace of play.

A draw is not ideal, but based on other results around the league and how the Bats played, it is acceptable.  In the meantime, here are three things we learned from the draw between Gotham FC and Bay FC.

Gotham FC is back in third place

Entering the weekend, Gotham FC was in third place in the NWSL standings.  As the other games were played, the team fell to fifth place.  San Diego Wave FC and Portland Thorns FC ended their game in a draw, leaving both teams with 31 points.  Then, Seattle Reign FC lost to the Kansas City Current, meaning they stayed below the NJ/NY team.  As such, the Bats knew they needed at least a point to move back into third based on goal differential.

Of course, the goal was to win.  But the draw was enough to put Gotham into third and continue the climb up the table.  Again, it is not ideal that they did not beat Bay FC.  The fact that other results ended in their favor helps to accept the result.  At the same time, it adds to the pressure that they must win their final three fixtures since third to eighth place is separated by three points.

So, in reality, Gotham is barely in third place.  A loss or two could be the difference in making the playoffs. 

Gotham FC was lucky

When the match ended, one could say that Gotham FC was lucky.  Bay FC gave them a run for their money and easily could have won.  The home side maintained about 56% of the possession and had eight shots with two on target.  While the Bats were more threatening offensively, with 12 shots with four on target, the amount of time spent attacking them provided the chance to score more than one goal. 

Additionally, Bay FC could have had more shots if the players were more clinical in front of the goal.  In that case, Gotham could have faced a more threatening side based on the players themselves.    

The West Coast trip was still successful

While the draw on Sunday night was not what the Bats wanted, the trip out to the West Coast was still successful.  The team won against San Diego Wave FC and then easily defeated Vancouver Rise FC Academy in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.  Add the road draw to Bay FC, and fans can see this as a good period away from home.

Notably, Gotham FC has had success on the road previously.  But having two wins and a draw in all competitions in nine days is a pretty good look, regardless of where teams are in the standings.