3 things we learned from Gotham FC's first regular season win over KC Current

NJ/NY Gotham FC has already had success against the Kansas City Current this season, beating the team in the NWSL Challenge Cup. But the Bats have never won a matchup in the regular season against them. So, not only did the home team want to continue their unbeaten streak, but they also wanted all three points against the Current.

As it is sung in the musical Into the Woods, “If you know what you want, then you go, and you find it, and you get it.” It took a long time, but Gotham FC has finally secured their first-ever regular-season win over Kansas City, winning 2-1. It was a match that was fitting for Broadway Night, for there was drama, fighting, controversy, emotions being displayed on faces, highs, lows, and so much more.

Despite the visitors scoring in the first minute, Gotham answered by scoring twice thanks to Midge Purce and Sam Kerr. In fact, Kerr officially has the most regular-season goals in club history, breaking Esther González’s recent record. In addition, the home side was the bigger threat, outshooting last year’s Shield winners 16 to five.

It was a crazy match, and maybe one of the best of the season. Here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s first regular-season win and third overall win over the KC Current.

Sam Kerr’s goal makes it easy to miss Esther González

As mentioned, Kerr scored one of the goals to break the record for the most goals scored in the regular season in Gotham FC history. It was a tap-in, and really, the assist from Jaedyn Shaw, who broke some ankles to get the ball to Kerr, was the highlight of the night. Without her movement and the pass across the goal, the Bats might not have won the game.

Meanwhile, the goal makes it easy to miss González. It would have been incredible to see her and Kerr fight for goals. The second half of the season could have had the two strikers trading off on breaking the club record. But sadly, the Spanish international had to head back to Spain.

One can only wonder what that could have been like. Alas, Kerr now has a chance to run away with the record and turn it into something that future Gotham players will chase.

A controversial moment for Gotham FC

In the 27th minute, there was chaos in the box. Jordynn Dudley and Kayla Sharples kind of got into a fight where Dudley ended up on the ground and then raised her leg in an attempt to kick her. Nothing happened there, but the Current’s Elizabeth Ball ran over and pushed the Gotham forward back to the ground after she stood up.

At first, she was given a red card for the push, but as always, VAR took a look. There was a question of whether Dudley did enough in her attempt to foul for the decision to be canceled out and for a foul to be called on her. But even then, there did not seem to be enough for anything to be called on her and Sharples, for VAR was not looking at their confrontation.

Plus, after a few minutes, the referee finally went to the monitor to review, and it was clarified that the question was whether Ball deserved the red card. She obviously pushed Dudley, but after the extremely long review, the card was reversed to a yellow card. The commentary team on Prime Video assumed it was because Dudley went down too easily, but when all is said and done, that looked like a clear red card. Afterward, the PRO Referees Organization also came out and said that the push was not violent enough, and only reckless.

So, that was a controversial moment. A push is a push, and it was intentional. But also, this is just another moment in soccer that shows there must be a time limit for reversing a call via VAR.

Gotham FC’s great run continues

Gotham FC is now on an eight-game unbeaten streak and a four-game winning streak. This current run has been superb. Sure, the ladies should be scoring more. But a win is a win, and sometimes that is enough.

At this point in the season, it feels like the NWSL Shield is in reach. It felt like the Bats could compete for it in 2024, but it fell just out of reach. But right now, the good times mean that Gotham will stay in first place for the time being.

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