Gotham FC manages a win over the Washington Spirit thanks to Yazmeen Ryan

On Sunday evening, NJ/NY Gotham FC played their second match of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.  It was a special home game away from home, for the Bats were at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.  This is the home of the Philadelphia Union, and there are plenty of fans in the state.  Plus, the team represents New Jersey, so sometimes Southern New Jersey fans find the trek to the Philadelphia area to be easier.

Despite the location change, the mission was the same: Gotham FC had to win the match.  It would be a challenge though since they were playing the Washington Spirit.  The D.C. team is the only side that beat the NJ/NY side 2-0 and they did it twice.  The Bats also did not play well in both games.  While the lineups would be different due to the missing Olympic players, many thought the Spirit would still be threatening.

At the same time, Gotham does have plenty of depth, so Juan Carlos Amorós put out a strong Starting XI.  On the other side, Washington utilized three National Team Replacement players in the backline, which was a little shocking.  The question before the match was simple: Could the Bats take advantage?

The answer was a little complicated. Gotham FC beat Washington 1-0, but it was via a penalty kick. Otherwise, the night offensively was extremely frustrating.

Gotham FC won but the Bats struggled to score

Similar to the match against the Chicago Red Stars, Gotham was at full speed in the attack.  They were the team constantly taking chances and shooting their shot.  It appeared easy to put the ball into and near the box.  They were outplaying the Spirit. However, they struggled to find the back of the net.  In the first 30 minutes alone they had eight shots.  Then, after the first half, where the game remained scoreless, they had 13 shots with four on target.

They had some really good chances too during those first 45 minutes.  Ella Stevens had a shot in the second minute that went just wide while a header from Katie Stengel in the 18th was just saved and put over the bar.

The second half was not any better.  They continued to attack with fierce aggression but struggled to find that clinical finish.  There were also plenty of blocked shots by the temporary Spirit defense.  Were they just defending well or were Gotham FC’s players not timing their shots correctly?

The difference was the penalty kick in the 62nd minute.  This was the lone goal on the night and it did not come from one of the NJ/NY sides’s plentiful chances.  Instead, Yazmeen Ryan was fouled in the box and the penalty was given.  The forward stepped up to take it and sent the ball into the left side of the goal, sending the Spirit’s goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury the other way.  She put the Bats up 1-0, finally getting that goal she looked for last weekend.

Meanwhile, McCall Zerboni, who wore the captain’s armband for the second game in a row, was explosive during her time on the pitch.  She took a few shots, including one from outside the box in the 27th minute that forced Kingsbury into a quick save.  In addition, she was all over the midfield and made her way into the final third. 

The match was frustrating to watch, especially since the Bats outplayed their fellow East Coast team.  Gotham should have scored from one of their 18 total shots.  They were fortunate to receive the penalty kick.  Still, they must find that clinical finish.

A win is a win, despite the frustration.  On a positive note, Mak Whitham made her debut after signing with Gotham FC on Friday.  She is officially the youngest debutant in professional sports in North America at 14 years and one day old.  Her regular contract does not start until next year, but it was a lovely moment for the young player. 

Next, Gotham FC will take on C.D. Guadalajara Femenil, or Chivas.  It was somewhat surprising that the Bats beat the Spirit, but there is no question they must beat the Mexican team to have a chance to make the semifinals.