3 things we learned from Gotham FC's 2-0 win over Portland Thorns FC

In their first NWSL league game since the Olympics, NJ/NY Gotham FC earned a crucial 2-0 win over Portland Thorns FC. This was a vital win for the Bats as it not only was a win against another playoff team, but it created a seven-point gap to Portland in the race for a home playoff game. Returning Olympians Ann-Katrin Berger, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Sonnett were a part of the Starting XI.

Gotham FC got off to a quick start in just the seventh minute. A Bruninha cross from the left side found the head of Ella Stevens who got just enough of the ball to guide it into the far post to give the Bats a 1-0 lead. This would be Gotham's only goal of the first half despite them dictating most of the play during the first 45 minutes.

The second half saw the introductions of the final two returning Olympians who made appearances today as both Tierna Davidson and Rose Lavelle were introduced as second half substitutes. Much of the second 45 minutes was very similar to the first 45 as Gotham had much of the run of play. However, Portland was able to challenge with a little more frequency. The game was put to bed though in the 70th minute when Lavelle found Yazmeen Ryan, who fired in a rocket from outside the box to the keeper's bottom-left to give Gotham a 2-0 lead.

That was how things would end as Gotham FC kicked off the unofficial second half of the season with a strong performance and an important win at home. Here are 3 things we learned from this Gotham victory.

3 things we learned from Gotham FC's win

1. Gotham FC kept the standards high

Even with the NWSL Summer Cup, it would have been very easy for there to be a drop-off coming back from the Olympics. Not just because of the long break in league play but also because of how many players were missing during the Summer Cup games. Between injuries and international duty, the number of missing players was at times as high as 14.

Gotham FC could have let their guard down given these factors but on the evidence of this game, they very clearly had not. Players like Bruninha, Delanie Sheehan, Katie Stengel, and others who were with the team during the Olympic period were the best players on the field.

A team is only as strong as the weakest link and Gotham's "weakest link" is very clearly much better than most other teams' weakest link.

2. Doing the double over Portland

For the second time in the regular season, and third time in a row dating back to last year's playoffs. Gotham FC won against the Thorns. Their first win came back in April when on the back of an Esther González goal, Gotham got the 1-0 away win in Providence Park. This is not only important because Portland is a solid team, but as the season moves on it is looking increasingly more likely that these two could end up meeting in the first round of the playoffs.

Having a psychological advantage like this going into a playoff matchup can be huge for a team. It was probably a factor in Gotham's playoff win over the North Carolina Courage last year as the Courage went into that matchup winless in the two teams' four matchups that season. Having the psychological and home-field advantage could be all the Bats need in a potential playoff matchup with the Thorns.

3. The remaining schedule does not get easier

Of the nine remaining games in their remaining NWSL schedule, three of them are against the top two teams, the Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current. And while there are some easier games on the schedule, including three matches with the bottom two teams Seattle Reign FC and the Utah Royals, the combination of these games and the CONCACAF W Champions Cup games makes this run-in to the end of the season very difficult.

Getting three points against a talented Portland team was a crucial start to this end-of-season run. At the very least Gotham FC need to beat the teams they are better than if they want home field and a high seeding come playoff time.