3 things we learned from Gotham FC's upset win over KC Current in the playoffs

On a cold and chilly Sunday, NJ/NY Gotham FC played the Kansas City Current in the quarterfinals of the NWSL Playoffs.  Due to a rough loss on Decision Day against the North Carolina Courage, the Bats fell to eighth place and had to face the NWSL Shield winners.  Truthfully, a loss was expected as the NJ/NY team had lost to the Current in both regular-season games and historically struggled against the dominant side.

However, the Bats shocked everyone.  Gotham FC won 2-1, beating the number one team in extra time.  This might be one of the craziest upsets in NWSL Playoff history, for Kansas City was extremely dominant all season long. 

It was Jaedyn Shaw who initially put the visitors ahead.  Her fantastic run into the box and the way she maneuvered through opposing players led her to score in the 68th minute.  Then, Ellie Wheeler’s goal in stoppage time forced extra time.  But the Bats did not become discouraged.  Instead, they continued to fight, and then in stoppage time of the second extra-time period, Katie Stengel scored the winning goal to secure her team a spot in the semifinals.

There is so much that can be discussed after the insane upset.  Here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s win over the KC Current in the NWSL Playoffs.

Gotham FC competed with the Current

While the home side was missing some big-name players like Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper, the Current still had a huge edge over the visitors.  The roster is extremely talented.  There is a reason they were the best this year.  However, Gotham FC did not care who they were battling in the quarterfinals, for they competed with the NWSL Shield winners.

Overall, they had over 57% of the possession in regulation and 58% in the entire match, dominating with about 68% in the first half.  They had offensive chances, but the NJ/NY team could have been better there with the clinical shots during regulation.  It helped that Shaw stepped up and scored her goal, which put Gotham in front at the time.

In total, the Bats had 15 shots with five on target, while the home side had 16 and eight.  Plus, each team had periods where they were the more threatening side.  Hence, it made sense that the Current tied the match in stoppage time thanks to Wheeler.  But the fact that Gotham FC competed is why they had a chance to win, and they did at the end of extra time.

Ann-Katrin Berger is a warrior

Unquestionably, Ann-Katrin Berger has not been 100% healthy for most of the season.  However, she has played well and continues to do so.  The goalkeeper has been vital to the Gotham FC defense and has proved her worth against Kansas City.  This was despite needing treatment during the game.

Berger had seven saves throughout the 120 minutes plus stoppage time, with four coming in extra time.  Many of these saves required her to be smart with when to come off her line or for her to extend her reaching hand to send the ball over the bar or away.  The German played like she alone had to keep the Current out of the goal.  In complete honesty, at times it was like she was possessed, and in a good way, too.

One of her best saves of the night came in the 28th minute, when Nichelle Prince had a double shot, causing Berger to do a double save.  The second save happened as she was falling to the ground while making herself big. 

Another big save came in the 104th minute when Bia Zaneratto had a shot on goal.  The Gotham keeper had to jump up and stretch out her arm to get the ball over the bar.  This was one of the best opportunities by the Current, and Berger kept the match tied.  Overall, she was vital to the Bats’ win.

Katie Stengel was Gotham FC’s hero

As mentioned, Stengel, who was brought back to Gotham FC over the summer, scored the winning goal.  She was the hero for the team with her shot that bounced off the crossbar and into the goal.  The power of the shot meant that there was nothing that Kansas City could do. Plus, the deflection off the bar meant that the goal went in via an awkward angle.

The forward is a hero and scored at a perfect time.  She only scored once in the regular season, and Gotham FC really needed her to step up.  And, she did so in the postseason.  Hopefully, she will score next week, too.