Ladies First: NWSL 2023 Gotham FC Portland Thorns

9 juillet 2023

ENG (start at 11 game advanced)

Women.NWSL.2023.Gotham.Portland.ENG.twb22.mp4

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For the first time since June 2017, Gotham FC defeated the Portland Thorns. Gotham FC defeated the reigning National Women’s Soccer League champions, 2-1, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The win boosted Gotham FC (7-4-4, 25 points) into third place with Portland (7-4-4, 25) but is in third due to the Thorns’ superior goal differential (plus 13 to plus three). At the start of the match, the momentum was immediately in Gotham FC’s favor, as it outshot the Thorns 8-3 in the first half. Only six minutes after kickoff, Gotham FC midfielder Yazmeen Ryan found herself in a 1 v 1 with goalkeeper Bella Bixby. Bixby took down Ryan outside the penalty area and was issued a yellow card. The Thorns nearly scored in the 13th minute when an attempted clearance landed at the foot of forward Morgan Weaver, whose attempt went high over the net. Portland went on the attack again two minutes later, when forward Izzy D’Aquila got in behind the backline for a shot that went straight to goalkeeper Abby Smith.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 21st minute, when Ryan sent a cross-field ball to midfielder Jenna Nighswonger, who served it from the right flank to put it in front of the goal. Despite a Thorns attempt to deflect it, midfielder Allie Long tapped it in. “I’m very pleased for Allie because she works extremely hard for the team,” Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said. “She’s a winner and getting that goal for her is special. I’m very happy for her.” Newcomer Katie Stengel, on loan from Liverpool FC, started the match and added a second goal in the 56th minute after capitalizing on a huge save by Bixby that left the ball sitting on a platter in front of the goal. “She was outstanding. She lasted almost 90 minutes and having a player like herself is allowing other players to shine a little bit more because she occupies defenders,” Amoros said. “We saw her videos and we’ve been seeing her at training, but you never know what a player can bring until you give them the chance. It really helped the team so we’re extremely, extremely pleased for her and for the team.” In the 62nd minute, Thorns substitute Hannah Betfort made an immediate impact by seizing a missed clearance. Betfort passed the ball to Morgan Weaver for a give-and-go, Betfort finished the play by sliding the ball into the corner, narrowing the lead by a goal.