Gotham FC punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 1-0 win over Utah Royals FC

After a small wobble midweek in their 0-0 draw against C.F. Monterrey Femenil, NJ/NY Gotham FC earned a 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals to clinch their spot in the 2024 NWSL playoffs. The win also saw the Bats jump back into third in the standings, one point behind the Washington Spirit for second, and one point ahead of the Kansas City Current in fourth, who they will visit next week.

The win also extends Gotham's NWSL winning streak to three and is their fifth win in their last six games in NWSL play. This is also the third time this season that the team followed up one of their league losses with an unbeaten streak of at least three games.

As the NJ/NY side wrapped up their three-game week they were down one of their key players in defensive midfielder Nealy Martin. Prior to today's game, Martin had played in all 20 NWSL games, starting 17 of them, and had played the fourth most minutes on the team behind Emily Sonnett, Delanie Sheehan, and Jenna Nighswonger. This absence led to a more offensively-minded lineup than usual with Sheehan taking over Martin's role in midfield, joined by Yazmeen Ryan and Rose Lavelle.

Despite this significant change and a more than ready Utah team, Gotham FC managed to hold on to a 1-0 scoreline.

Gotham FC clinched a playoff spot after Utah win

For the third time in four seasons, Gotham FC clinched a playoff spot and has reached the next step in their title defense. This is by far their most successful run in the NWSL as they had only made the playoffs once in the league's first seven years. Now the goal shifts towards clinching a home playoff game in at least round one.

The top four teams earn home-field advantage in round one while the top two earn it in the second round if they win in the first round. Gotham FC is close to locking up that round one home game as they currently sit eleven points ahead of fifth-placed North Carolina Courage with just 15 points left on offer.

Back to the game itself, while Gotham was the better team today, Utah certainly had their chances. Ryan struck early with a third-minute goal thanks to an assist from Lynn Williams. The assist moved her into third place on the NWSL's all-time assist leaders. From then on the Bats had their chances but Utah was very much in the game. The visitors had large swings of positive momentum throughout including the vast majority of the end of the game.

Gotham's defense was able to hold strong though and give the Royals their third loss in a row. Goalkeeper Mandy Haught, who received her 2023 championship ring pregame, stood on her head and made nine saves which according to the ESPN broadcast is a Utah team record. Despite being on the losing side, most people would probably agree that Haught earned player-of-the-game honors.

For Gotham, Nighswonger had a standout performance, leading or tying for the Gotham lead in touches, chances created, clearances, duels won, and fouls won. While Ryan scored the goal and had a good game in her own right, Nighswonger played a huge role in all phases of the Bats' win.

There are now only five games left in the NWSL regular season with Gotham FC firmly in the race for a top-two spot in the standings. Next week they travel to Kansas City to take on the Current in a crucial top-of-the-table matchup and potential future game in the upcoming playoffs.