Gotham FC fails to score as the Orlando Pride beats the Bats 2-0

After a weather delay, NJ/NY Gotham FC finally faced off against the Orlando Pride. The Florida team is in first place in the NWSL and has yet to lose a match in the regular season. The Bats wanted to beat them and continue their good form as they started a busy September.

Juan Carlos Amorós put out a great Starting XI too. The attacking line of Ella Stevens as striker, Rose Lavelle as the attacking midfielder, and Crystal Dunn and Yazmeen Ryan on the wings was one that should have done extremely well. Interestingly he started Emily Sonnett as the right-back, despite Bruninha being available.

However, Orlando's attack is currently more fearsome. Barbara Banda was in second place in the Golden Boot race before the match. The Pride also started Marta and Summer Yates, who have done very well offensively with five goals.

The Bats could not find the back of the net though as Orlando beat them 2-0. Gotham FC was outplayed in the first half but could not score despite a stronger second half.

Gotham FC falls to the Orlando Pride

Orlando struck first despite Gotham FC's early surge. It was not Banda who scored, but rather Adriana. She put the Pride up 1-0 in the sixth minute.

Ann-Katrin Berger made a rare mistake by coming off of her line. She attempted to clear the ball but failed to do so. As such, the goal became wide open, and Adriana took her opportunity. She sent the ball into the back of the net on a volley, securing the lead.

The Brazilian was not done though, and scored the second goal in the 19th minute. The backline could not get back in time as she ran towards the goal. She had space in front of her on the right side and Berger could not stop her as she scored the second of the night.

Ryan had the best chance in the first half in the 43rd minute. The forward had a strike on an angle that went just wide, but powerful. It would have gone in if it was entirely on target. Alas, they could not get any of their shots on target in the first 45 minutes.

It was the second half where they were a little better. They did have more attacking sequences but failed to find the back of the net. This was regardless of the starting players and those who came off the bench.

They finally had a shot on goal in the 77th minute. Jenna Nighswonger's shot was saved, but that started a few minutes of a consistent attacking period. Again, they could not score. The best opportunity came in the 89th minute when Esther González took a shot and it barely went over the bar. The second-best came from a Katie Stengel header a minute later.

Defensively, the Bats were more sound in the second half. Berger made vital saves to keep them in the game, especially in the 84th minute. The goalkeeper made herself big as she came out to keep Ally Watt from scoring.

Gotham did not play poorly. Rather, they were simply outplayed in the first half and then could not find the necessary goals in the second. Orlando continues to be unbeaten, and it makes some wonder whether they will remain that way for the rest of the NWSL season.

Meanwhile, around the 60th minute, Stevens went down with a non-contact injury. She likely pulled something in her leg when she tried to move the ball up the pitch. She had to come off a few minutes later. Hopefully, the forward will be okay.

This was not how Gotham FC wanted to start September. At the very least, they are still in fourth place and will play against bottom-of-the-table teams this month. That is never a guaranteed win though. The Bats must play their best regardless of who they play.