One of the hardest things to do is to open the season on the road, having to enter into a stadium, there are so many challenges to overcome.
In the case of Gotham FC as they entered into BMO Stadium, all they saw was a sea of Pink and Black as the supporters came through for Angel City’s Home Opener. Having to deal with that and in addition the time change and seeing how the team can come together after all the training sessions they had it was fascinating to see all of it come together.
Even though the match did not start out the way it wanted to, ultimately Gotham FC showed that they are comeback kids in earning a 2-1 victory over NWSL Foes Angel City.
The home side was able to strike first as Alyssa Thompson found the back of the net in the 11th minute. Thompson was able to strike the ball over the Gotham FC netminder Abby Smith. In what was a nerve-wrecking moment in the game Angel City almost had a 2-0 lead early, but that goal was called back after a review by VAR.
1495 Sports is proud to bring the following Post Match Press Conference video featuring thoughts from Head Coach Carlos Amorós along with Jenna Nighswonger, Midge Purce, Lynn Williams and Allie Long…video compliments of Gotham FC:
It was after that Gotham FC was able to find the combinations that were able to help lift them to the victory. The first salvo was a beauty of a goal at the 55′ as Midge Purce scored a goal from a penalty. Purce struck a pinpoint ball into the top right corner to tie things up.
After a ton of back-and-forth action it was New York who came out on top. The game-winner came off the foot of Lynn Williams in the 65th minute. Williams who received a pass from Purce that helped the franchise earn the three points.
That play was an ESPN Top 10 caliber type of play as Purce, was able to freeze the Angel City defense with her stellar dribbling skills, sent the ball right to the foot of Williams who was able to finish the play.
In what was a milestone moment for Lynn, who had her 58th NWSL goal-and that ranks most amongst U.S. Players in league history. In addition, that goal was her 16th game-winner in the NWSL.
Wiliams, who is making a comeback with Gotham FC after being sidelined last season with an injury, was also a first as that was her first NWSL goal since October 2021.
After the match Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós had this to say, “I’m extremely proud of the team. I thought in the second half we showed a lot of character and we deserved to win the game. I’m very, very happy with the performance. They looked like a team that has been together for two years instead of two months.”
Up next for Gotham FC will be their eagerly awaited home opener against the OL Reign, who features Megan Rapino and Rose Lavalle at Red Bull Arena on April 1 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on Gotham FC fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: