3 things we learned during Gotham FC's draw against Seattle Reign FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC was back home Sunday for a 2023 NWSL finals rematch against Seattle Reign FC. With the Bats continuing their good run, the Reign have struggled to produce and have fallen to the bottom three of the standings, with Gotham still within the top four. An unfortunate mistake from the defense led to a late draw with Seattle, ending the day with a 1-1 result.   

Before the match, Gotham made a move to release Taylor Smith from the roster, who has been out of action since last season with an injury. This takes away a potential depth option in the attack. Nevertheless, the NJ/NY side has been a team to watch this month, keeping a 3-1-1 record after starting the season close to the bottom of the table. This will be a good end to the first half of the season with one more match left before the NWSL takes a one-month hiatus for the Summer Olympics that are set to start in France on July 25.   

So, with that said, here are three things we learned about Gotham FC's draw to Seattle. 

3 things we learned about the 1-1 draw over Seattle 

1. Will the 4-1-4-1 formation remain?

Gotham FC has been sometimes utilizing a 4-1-4-1 for June, with Juan Carlos Amorós deciding to change up the formation. This change created a perfect balance of defense while assuring there were numbers in the final third of the pitch. The formation also creates space for passing, which suits a player like Rose Lavelle, who holds an 80 percent pass accuracy percentage for the Bats.   

Since the loss of Midge Purce, Amorós had to figure out how to close the void in the attack, which is ditching the traditional two-wingers and striker with four attacking midfielders with a striker. The question will be whether this formation will be utilized more with the 4-2-3-1. Or, will opposing teams figure out how to defend against Gotham?

2. Queen Lavelle does it again 

Rose Lavelle has been unstoppable since returning from injury, picking up from where she left off before getting hurt. She scored her fourth goal in 11 appearances as she continues to be the biggest threat for Gotham. She also has an 80 percent long ball accuracy, while creating 13 chances, 21 shots, and winning 10 aerial duels.

Her four goals have all been in clutch moments, electrifying the crown wherever she goes. Since her return on April 28, Gotham has gone 6-3-1 in the NWSL, which made her a game-changer as she continues to have an MVP season for the Bats.   

3. Giving flowers to our Olympians 

The match on Sunday was the final home match before the NWSL Olympic break, where the USWNT will start their preparations for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett, and Lynn Williams made the final 18-player plus four alternates roster for Emma Hayes’ team, with three of them being first-time Olympians. Williams is an alternate while the others are in the 18.

Each of them will enter the tournament on a high, with Gotham FC being one of the hottest NWSL teams in the first half of the season. The USWNT will look to win its first gold medal since 2012, with its first match set to kick off on July 25 against Zambia in Group B.