3 things we learned as Gotham FC secured the playoffs in Racing Louisville game

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, NJ/NY Gotham FC welcomed Racing Louisville FC for the final home game of the regular season.  Entering the match, the Bats had not confirmed their spot in the playoffs and wanted to do so with a win.  They also wanted to earn three points in front of their fans and on a day the team was honoring former captain and current club ambassador, Ali Krieger.  Unfortunately, the afternoon ended in a 2-2 draw, but the team still secured a spot in the playoffs.

After a not-so-bad injury report for most of the season, the names on the list increased over the last few weeks.  The big news was that Ann-Katrin Berger was missing for the second match in a row, and Esther González was not available due to a hip injury.  As such, the team had to step up both defensively and offensively.  A 2-2 draw was not ideal, but with multiple players out, that can be part of why the match ended with that result.

Regardless, the game was crazy and entertaining.  The goals from Gotham, scored by Jaelin Howell and Rose Lavelle, all came from outside the box.  Then, the goals scored by Louisville were due to mistakes by the Bats.  It was one of those up-and-down games that fans will likely remember.

In the end, it was good that a point was earned and that the NJ/NY side will be in the postseason.  At the same time, a win was desperately needed for a chance at a home playoff match in the quarterfinals.  So, without further ado, here are three things we learned from the draw between Gotham FC and Racing Louisville.

Gotham FC dropped points at home… again

Entering the match, Gotham FC was winless in their last three games and failed to score, drawing twice and losing once.  Two of those games were in the NWSL: the draw with Seattle Reign FC and the loss to the Kansas City Current.  So, the need to win was clearly there, but the Bats failed to do so.

Instead, they shared the points with Louisville, meaning that they dropped points at home again, and for the second game in a row.  Plus, since this was the final home game, the team finished with a home record of 4-4-5.  In other words, the Bats only earned 17 points at home out of a possible 39.  This is not a record the team wants, but sadly, Sports Illustrated Stadium was not the fortress as it was in 2024.

If Gotham FC had won against Racing, then at least the NJ/NY side would have moved into fourth place.  But now, they sit in seventh place because they dropped points at home for the ninth time this season.

The goals were incredible

One of the positive aspects of the match was that Gotham FC finally scored again.  Additionally, the Bats had a comeback draw despite initially being ahead of the visitors. 

Howell scored the first goal of the game, and did so against her old team.  And, in Howell fashion, she scored an insane goal from outside of the box.  Jaedyn Shaw looked like she was going to try and shoot, but was closed down by Louisville players.  She subsequently fell to the ground, but moved the ball right to Howell.  The former Racing player then shot the ball toward the left side of the goal with insane power, watched it hit the post, and bounce into the goal like a pinball machine.

Afterward, the visiting side scored twice, and Gotham FC fell behind.  So they had to spark a comeback, and thankfully, the Bats were given a free kick right outside the box late in the second half.  Lavelle stepped up to take the kick, and perfectly took it.  She sent the ball flying into the top left side of the goal, tying the match in a spectacular fashion.

Supporters would have loved to have seen the team win.  Truthfully, with 17 shots and seven on target, they should have won.  Multiple shots should have found the back of the net.  At least they were treated to amazing goals from Gotham, and the team secured a playoff spot with a draw.

Gotham FC needs to limit the defensive mistakes

Not only should the Bats have scored more goals, but they should have never allowed any.  Both were due to mistakes.  Shelby Hogan should have made the save on the first goal, but Janine Sonis was able to deflect her shot off Howell and into the goal.  The likely lack of communication was at fault, and the keeper did look shaky at times in the immediate aftermath.

The second goal was due to two players.  Josefine Hasbo gave up the ball to Louisville, and then Jess Carter failed to stop Sarah Weber, and there was nothing Hogan could do.  The goal was scored, and that was that.

Still, Gotham FC has made defensive mistakes that have been costly in their last two matches.  With one game left and the playoffs ahead, the team must ensure that they do not continue to make these mistakes.