It was a day almost from a movie as the ladies of Gotham FC took the pitch at Red Bull Arena on Sunday. Everything from the weather to the support from the crowd and even the moments within the match can all be something that could be found on stage and screen.
With picture perfect conditions and with momentum on the New York/New Jersey side, the ladies got the goal scoring going on a record-breaking goal and eventually gained the 2-1 victory against Chicago.
There were a ton of nerves and wonderment as the action got going as Forward Lynn Williams was on the verge of making history as she just needed one goal to lead the NWSL in scoring. With her fiancée and loved ones in attendance and thanks to a great assist by Esther; Lynn was able to gain the record at the 57′.
Williams standing right in front of the net gently glided the ball sent her way by Esther into the net, for the 79th goal in all competitions and becoming the leader of goals across all competition.
On being able to achieve her milestone moment Lynn had this to say, “I do not get the goals without my teammates. I have played with so many incredible people over the ten years. I just owe it all to them. I can’t put away any of those goals without them. It has just been incredible to have those people as teammates. I could just go through the list of all of the incredible teammates that I have had. I think that when you’re in it, you don’t really get to reflect. It is moments like this that I really cherish and value. I haven’t had a moment to debrief, but I’m sure I will go home and sit with (fiancé) Marley (Biyendolo) and just think about all ten years. Hopefully that is not my last goal, I’m not done yet. It is just a moment in my career that I get to reflect, and then we keep moving forward.”
When it came time to continuing the momentum the team had into the match against Chicago Williams shared these thoughts:
It was around the 62′ that Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós made subs and most of them leaving a positive imprint on the match. The move that was the most impactful is that of having Ella Stevens on the field
Stevens coming in for Midfielder Rose Lavelle as she made her start with the squad against Chicago. Lavelle looked tremendous in her first start making many impactful connections and showing a great style of play, but it was Stevens going up against her former squad and finding a memorable moment later on that became a storyline of the night and here is why.
It was at this point in the script when the Red Stars were able to get the fans in the movie theatre on the edge of their seats with the game-tying goal by Penelope Hocking at the 74′
Then there was another Hollywood script moment as Stevens, gained the game-winning goal at the 90′.
There were probably a ton of emotions going on in the mind of Stevens having to say goodbye to her teammates in Chicago and having to make the adjustments to the new team in New York. Having heard so many good things about Coach Amorós.
Stevens had this to say on the first few months with the club, “The first few months have been great. Obviously, at first coming in it’s just a completely new environment, new players, a new style of play. It took some time to adjust and learn what Gotham likes to do on and off the ball. All of the players have been so helpful in every position, giving me pointers and talking to me on the field, and everyone new, trying to assimilate us into this culture. It’s gone really well.”
As for going up against her former squad Ella had this to say, “I tried not to think about it too much coming into the game. I just wanted it to be another game. I think I can work myself up if I start thinking about things like that. I just tried to stay focused on the play and the ball, and not think too much about who I was playing.”
When asked about playing with Coach Stevens had this to say:
There were a ton of other memorable moments for the squad including the play of Jenna Nighswonger, Esther, Yazmeen Ryan and Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. They all played a huge part in the victory, including the play of Ann as she continues to come through with some big time saves.
Thus far the team is able to gain a ton of momentum and Coach Amorós shared these thoughts on how proud he is with the squad for sticking with the system and the journey to this point:
There is still a ton of story left for this Gotham FC team to write in addition to hopefully memorable moments to come as up next for the team is going to be a road match against Bay FC on Friday, May 24 at PayPal Park. The time for that match is scheduled for 10:00 p.m.
For more information on Gotham FC fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: