Gotham FC gets back in the win column with a win over Racing Louisville FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC earned a huge three points after a 2-1 away victory over Racing Louisville FC. The win ends their three-match winless run and, for now, puts them five points clear of the second-place Washington Spirit. The Spirit play on Sunday against Boston Legacy FC.

Not only was this a return to the win column, but it was a return to a very typical Gotham FC style of performance. They had 72% possession compared to just 55% they had against Denver Summit FC, which was their lowest possession total since the Queens Classic back in July. In addition to a smothering defensive performance, particularly in the second half, they also managed to score twice, one more goal than they scored in the previous three fixtures combined.

On the flip side, this might be the weekend that Louisville's playoff hopes end. They now sit 11 points out of the playoffs, 14 if Seattle Reign FC win tomorrow, with a maximum of 18 to gain. It was fun to see this team ride a wave of momentum in the summer and climb the table after a horrible start to the season, but it seems that wave has now fizzled out. Playing the Bats did not help either.

The big story for Gotham was the return of Rose Lavelle. After missing the last two games due to a head injury, the star player was listed as questionable before the match but ended up starting and playing 60 minutes. She was most likely on a minutes restriction in this game and in the next few games, but just having her back not only makes the team more potent in attack, but it also gives a boost to her teammates around her.

Gotham FC is racing to the Shield

Gotham FC got off to a fast start, netting the game's opening goal just eight minutes in. An interesting short corner routine eventually saw Jaedyn Shaw find a wide-open Guro Reiten 24 yards from the goal. Subsequently, she scored her first goal in the NWSL with a fantastic left-footed strike into the top left corner. Notably, Reiten's goal was also the first for a Norwegian player in the league.

The lead was short-lived, though, as just nine minutes later Louisville found the equalizer off a corner kick of their own. Courtney Petersen almost scored an Olimpico direct from the corner, but her cross hit the far post and bounced right at the feet of Kayla Fischer. Fischer, who was basically on the goal line, easily scored the equalizer to bring Louisville back level.

Gotham's final big chance of the half came in the 37th minute when Ann-Katrin Berger was able to collect and quickly launch a long ball off a Louisville corner kick. The long ball found Jordynn Dudley in the midfield, where the rookie then sent Lavelle in on goal. Lavelle got off the shot, but her effort hit the outside of the post. This sent the game into halftime tied 1-1.

As fast as Gotham started the first half, they started even faster in the second. Less than 40 seconds into the half, the Bats earned the lead on a great team goal, starting with a long ball from Jess Carter upfield to Dudley. Dudley then found Lavelle with a central pass, who managed a pass to Sam Kerr. The Aussie did well to manage her run to stay onside before she created space to pass to Shaw. Shaw then finished well with a first-time far-post shot that snuck past Jordyn Bloomer and gave Gotham the lead early in the second half.

Afterward, the NJ/NY team had their chances to score the third through Kerr, but surprisingly she could not finish. The first came just five minutes after the second goal when Jaelin Howell did a great job of picking the pocket of a Louisville defender high up the field. She then found Kerr in some space in the box, but the Australian international seemingly couldn't get the ball off her feet and was unable to get the shot off.

She then had another chance a few minutes later when Dudley did well to read Bloomer's pass and win the ball high up the field in the box. She found Kerr across the field. The striker then skied her first-time shot in a great shooting position. She had more time than she had in this instance, but it was an odd game for her, who got an assist and got into good positions but was uncharacteristically disappointing in front of goal.

Nevertheless, Gotham went into lockdown mode until the end of the game, keeping Louisville's chances to a minimum, holding them to just one shot on target in the entirety of the second half and winning the game 2-1. Despite giving up a goal, this was a very Gotham-like performance, something they couldn't put together last week. Between the high possession, the smothering defence, and individual moments of brilliance from star players, this was as close to a vintage Gotham performance as fans will see.

They now head into an even tougher away match next week when they visit the North Carolina Courage. North Carolina currently sits in a tie for third with 39 points, keeping them in the Shield race.

Player of the match honors go to Shaw, who earned a goal and an assist on the first anniversary of the trade that sent her from North Carolina to Gotham FC. Shaw currently has eight goals and six assists in all competitions, adding to what is already the most productive season of her NWSL career so far.

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