On Friday evening, storms came through New Jersey before NJ/NY Gotham FC could take the pitch against C.D. Guadalajara Femenil, or Chivas. The two teams were playing in the last group round game of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, and the weather caused about a 30-minute delay from kickoff.
The delay did not impact the drive for Gotham, for they desired to win in regulation. A win and three points would mean either team would win Group D. For the Bats, a win meant more, because finishing the group with six points or less would mean the team does not play in the semifinals. Only four of the five group winners will move on. The NJ/NY side knew six points would likely not be enough due to goal differential. They wanted a win, but even a penalty kick shootout win would do as they did against the Chicago Red Stars.
Nobody knew what to expect though. The NWSL and Liga MX Femenil teams have never faced one another. Chivas is extremely talented and tends to do well in their league. They also travel well too, for Red Bull Arena had plenty of their fans.
That did not matter though, for Gotham FC beat Chivas 3-0. The Bats won their group with eight points and will play in the semifinals next week.
Gotham FC scored three in the win over Chivas
The first 15-20 minutes were mostly controlled by Chivas. It took some time for the Gotham FC players to get into the game. Once they established their pace of play, they started to maintain most of the possession and create opportunities. It was not the offensive powerhouse performance of the first half against the Washington Spirit but they still managed six shots in the first 45 minutes. One of those shots put the team up 1-0.
Gotham FC finally scored a goal from open play in the Summer Cup in the 31st minute. Ella Stevens was on the right side of the pitch near the box. She picked out Katie Stengel, who was in front of the goal. The other forward received the ball facing away from the net, turned, and shot it past Chivas’ goalkeeper Blanca Félix. This was Stengel’s first competitive goal of the season, and finally, it came at the perfect time.
The game was all about the second half when it became the Stevens and Stengel show. Everyone contributed to maintain the possession and keep the pressure on the visitors. It was the two forwards who scored the next two goals.
Stevens scored the second in the 63rd minute. A great pass from Stengel saw her maneuver around Chivas players with ease and take her shot. The ball bounced off the post like a pinball machine and into the back of the net.
The Bats were not done though. After only scoring a max of two goals all season long, they finally scored three! Stengel got herself a brace by scoring the third. She sent the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal after Stevens' second assist of the night. It took some time, but the question of whether Gotham can score more than two goals was finally answered.
Meanwhile, new signing Jess Carter made her debut as a substitute, coming on for Kristen Edmonds who had made her first start of the season. She did decently well, but as the second half progressed, there was not too much work for the defense. Mak Whitham also made her second appearance, coming on for the final ten minutes plus stoppage time. The 14-year-old is getting some solid experience before her contract truly begins in January.
The 3-0 win was exactly what was needed. Stevens finally scored her first goal in a month and a half while Stengel scored her first two goals of the season. More importantly, Gotham FC will play in the semifinals against Angel City FC. Fans know they were the last team the club faced prior to the NWSL Olympic break, in which the ladies won 2-1. Can they do it again and book a spot in the finals? If they play similarly to Friday’s game, then it is possible.