If you wanted to look up quality playoff soccer in the dictionary especially in the NWSL the match between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit showed just that and more as the two franchises played a great brand of soccer and in front of a quality crowd in Harrison, New Jersey.
Even though the result didn’t go the way of Gotham FC (it was the Spirit coming on top with the score of 2-0) there were a ton of positives and lessons learned for the team.
The momentum at the start of the match was in favor of New York/New Jersey as they tried for the first scoring opportunity early on. Chances by Katie Stengel gave the fans something to cheer for.
It was after that though that the Spirit got themselves a chance and cashed in as Courtney Brown tallied her first goal in her professional career from an assist by Croix Bethune.
With the goal, Brown joins a list of Spirit players including s Bethune, Hal Hershfelt and Kate Wiesner as Spirit rookies who have scored this season. The Spirit were able to have four goals by rookies and that is the most of any team in the NWSL season.
The other thing that was impressive by the combination of Bethune and Brown is the fact that the assist by Croix increases her lead in the Spirit record books at the all-time single-season leader with nine.
Washington Spirit fans are encouraged to give a click to the following video as Interim Head Coach Adrián González along with Courtney Brown and Aubrey Kingsbury……video is compliments of the Washington Spirit:
Some of the impressive stats for Gotham heading into the half were the fact that they led the opposition in shots (6-2), shots on goal (2-1) and ball possession (55%-45%).
Even though the stats were in favor of Gotham, it was the Spirit that figured how to score as Trinity Rodman made the night 2-0 with a strike just inside the box.
Gotham showed true heart and kept on fighting till the end of the whistle, but ultimately it was the opposition gaining the three points and the victory.
With the loss the unbeaten streak for Gotham concluded at nine games and that is the second-longest in club history. The winning streak for the franchise also ends at five games and that is the second-longest in club history.
Gotham FC fans are encouraged to give a click to the following video as Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós along with Defender Tierna Davidson share these thoughts after the match…video is compliments of Gotham FC
In the milestone moment of the night Katie Stengel exceeded 100 shots for her regular season career (101).
Some of the other impressive stats compliments of the Gotham FC Media Relations Department include the fact that Nealy Martin completed 26 of 28 passing attempts along with the fact that Jenna Nighswonger winning possessions 10 times.
For the Washington Spirit fans the franchise was able to sweep Gotham FC while securing the most victories (10 and points (31) through 14 games of an NWSL regular season.
The Spirit return back to Audi Field as they go up against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, June 29 with the start of that match scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Up next for Gotham FC is going to be a home match at Red Bull Arena as the ladies take on the Seattle Reign on Sunday, June 30 with the start time for that match scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
For more information on the Washington Spirit fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
For more information on Gotham FC fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: