3 things we learned from Gotham FC's first Summer Cup game against Chicago

With the NWSL season on pause, NJ/NY Gotham FC began the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup with a match against the Chicago Red Stars.  This was the first game for the Bats in the tournament, where they will play three in the group round.

After beating Chicago earlier this season, Gotham FC wanted a similar result.  They were without seven players, including one of the goal scorers from the game, Lynn Williams.  She broke the NWSL goal-scoring record then, so the memory of the win is still fresh.  The lack of depth on the roster for the Summer Cup made it questionable whether the NJ/NY side could leave with three points.

Since they were unable to score and ended the game 0-0, Gotham FC and the Red Stars went into a penalty kick shootout.  Thankfully, the visitors came out on top 5-4.  As a result, they earned two points from the game.  It was not ideal, but it was better than losing and taking home none.

There is plenty to discuss from the game.  Here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s match against the Chicago Red Stars.

3 things we learned from Gotham FC’s first Summer Cup game

1. Yazmeen Ryan continues to be unlucky

If there is one Gotham FC player who should have more goals, then it is Yazmeen Ryan.  The forward continues to be an impactful player in the attack except for finding the back of the net.  She has one goal this year in the NWSL.  Fans thought she would score against Chicago based on how she was playing.

However, that was not the case.  She had six shots with one on target.  She could not capitalize on any of her chances.  The frustration was visible on her face, so it was probably a relief when she converted her penalty kick in the shootout.  Alas, that does not count toward shots or goals, so her hunt for more will continue.  She is extremely unlucky, for she puts in so much effort in trying to find the back of the net.

2. Gotham FC is lucky to have Cassie Miller

Before Ann-Katrin Berger joined Gotham, Cassie Miller was thought to be the first-choice goalkeeper.  At the least, that was the thought until Abby Smith was back and ready to go.  Instead, Berger joined, and clearly showed why the Bats brought her in.

Nevertheless, Miller is still a fantastic goalkeeper, and she presented to everyone why she was signed in the Summer Cup game against the Red Stars.  Sure, she had four saves in the fixture and then the save in the shootout.  But her awareness of when to leave her line and to catch the ball was on display.  She was also ready to go in case her backline could not clear the ball. 

Gotham is lucky to have Miller on the team.  Berger is on another level compared to other keepers around the NWSL.  Miller still can stand on her own and put in the work to keep the Bats in games.  The backline did well on Saturday, but Miller’s saves reminded everyone why she was brought in for 2024.

3. Two points is better than one or none, but three would have been better

In the Summer Cup, teams will earn points differently compared to the NWSL.  Wins are still three points and losses are still zero.  Draws are different though.  At the end of 90 minutes, if a game is tied, then teams will participate in a penalty kick shootout, as Gotham FC and the Red Stars did in their game.  Winning the shootout results in two points, while losing means a team ends with one point, similar to a regular draw.

That is why the Bats earned two points after the game was finished.  This is better than one or none.  Yet, it is not three points, which was desperately needed since the Washington Spirit is in the same group.  This is the one team that has held Gotham scoreless twice this year.  In addition, the ladies played their poorest matches against them. Plus, expectations remain high for the team despite being without seven of their players.

If there was any chance of making it to the semifinals, Gotham FC had to earn all three points against Chicago.  Two is great, but it is not three.