3 things we learned from Gotham FC's 2-0 road win against the Chicago Red Stars

On a beautiful fall day in Bridgeview, right outside Chicago, NJ/NY Gotham FC took on the Chicago Red Stars.  This was the third meeting this year, with the Bats winning their home fixture and beating the Windy City side via a penalty kick shootout in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.  It was also the third-to-last game of the NWSL season, and the two teams were both fighting for all three points.

Gotham FC wanted to secure a home playoff match and Chicago wanted a spot in the postseason.  Therefore, this was expected to be a crazy battle between two driven teams.  Sure, the Bats were stronger on paper, but there was still that lingering question of whether they could continue their recent scoring success.

While they did not score higher than the team’s usual number of goals, Gotham FC beat Chicago 2-0.  The ladies dominated for most of the game and were more threatening in the attack.  However, both goals came late.  Lynn Williams scored the winning goal in the 87th minute via a penalty kick and Esther González doubled the lead toward the end of stoppage time.

This was a fantastic win and there is so much to cover.  Here are three things we learned from the 2-0 Gotham FC win.

3 things we learned after Gotham FC’s road win

1. Jenna Nighswonger wants more goals

Jenna Nighswonger has been having another solid season in her sophomore year.  She was more of a standout as a rookie since she moved from the attack to the left-back role, securing her spot through fantastic defense and offense.  In 2024, she has continued her strong defensive work and has been vital to moving the ball forward.  She also has three assists.  However, she has been lacking in goals.

It was not until the 13-0 thrashing of Frazsiers Whip Football Limited that the USWNT player scored her first goal in all competitions.  Then, Nighswonger finally scored her first goal of the NWSL season in the 5-1 win over Bay FC.  It was via a penalty kick, but she finally found the back of the net.

That hunger for goals, for she scored three in the 2023 NWSL season, was on full display against the Red Stars.  She took a shot every chance she could get, which was of course not too many with the other attackers in front of her.  Still, the aggression in the attack illuminated that she was going to be a threat to the Chicago defense.

Nighswonger had two shots but constantly put herself in a position where she could possibly take a shot.  The amount of times she was in the box was countless.  She was more of a threat in the first half, but the former attacker wanted to score another goal.  Alas, it was not meant to be.

2. The Ella Stevens foul should not have needed a VAR review

Late in the second half, Ella Stevens was clearly fouled in the box.  Chicago’s Cari Roccaro missed contact with the ball and went into the Gotham forward instead.  Yet, the referee did not stop and blow his whistle.  He told the teams to continue to play.

Eventually, he was notified to review what he originally did not deem as a foul.  He made his way to VAR video board to see what he missed.  Within seconds, he returned to the pitch and awarded Gotham FC a penalty, for VAR proved the foul on Stevens.

The former Red Stars player won the penalty, but Williams stepped up to take it.  She sent the ball into the bottom-right corner of the goal and scored the winning goal.  However, the fact the initial foul was not called immediately is somewhat discouraging.  Yes, VAR got it right, but the referee should not have missed it.

Anyone watching the match could see that Stevens was fouled.  It does not take a rocket scientist to declare that.  The referee had a view of the foul, and did not call it.  Some might argue he could not see correctly and thought Roccaro got the ball, but that is inexcusable.  VAR is there to fix clear and obvious mistakes, but usually, it can involve actions a referee does not see or mistakes they make due to an angle they are on.  In this case, the requirement to go to VAR makes one question the refereeing.  The mistake should not have occurred.

3. Juan Carlos Amorós’ red card is not good for Gotham FC

Before the penalty kick occurred, Juan Carlos Amorós was sent off with a red card.  This means the head coach will miss the final home match of the season.  To make matters worse, it is against the no longer undefeated Orlando Pride.  This is a fixture the head coach is needed for to lead his team against a challenging team.

Instead, Amorós will have to watch from afar.  He might not play the game on the pitch, but his soccer intelligence is always extremely helpful for his players.  The Spaniard has turned Gotham into one of the better teams in the league.  Will his absence cause issues with the Bats on the pitch?

Hopefully, the answer will be no.  At the same time, it is not clear as to why Amorós was sent off.  Clarification is needed.