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Gotham FC Extend Their Unbeaten Streak Against Angel City FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC, Featured, Other Sports, Professional, Soccer

June 11, 2024

During Pride Month celebrations at Red Bull Arena, Gotham FC was seeking to continue to stay in the win column against 12th-placed Angel City FC.

The first ten minutes or so Angel City came out ready to play. The held majority of the possession and were right on top of the Gotham players when gained possession. With all the possession they held, they could only get one shot off on goal, but it was an easy shot to stop. The middle part of the first half was all Gotham. They were able to gain back possession and keep it. When they were in the final third, they were able to get some shots off, but not many of them were able to keep on target. The shots were coming, and each one was getting closer and closer to going in.

Crystal Dunn would open the scoring for Gotham in the 26th minute with the assist of Yasmeen Ryan. It was her first goal of the NWSL season, as well as her first goal in a Gotham jersey. The play started from the midfield, with Ryan receiving the ball nearer to the 18-yard box, having the awareness to find the open Dunn. Dunn then takes one touch to the 18 and one more touch before striking the ball to the far post. The attack did not stop there. Gotham was able to create more, especially with long balls over the top, but was unable to convert more.

The player of the first half, however, was Ann-Katrin Berger. The saves she was coming up with were phenomenal. She would save one shot and then have to get up right away to save another. Berger was up for the challenge every time. Because of Berger's heroics, Gotham would go into halftime up 1-0.

The second half started off badly for Gotham. About five minutes into the half, Angel City would tie it up with a cross that would end up in the back of the net, though some would argue there could have been a slight touch off of Sydney Leroux's head. Either way, the goal counted after a VAR check for offside, and Gotham would have to play for the lead back.

Gotham continued with pushing forward, looking for the second goal. After a few corner kicks, Gotham was able to break the tie after less than 15 minutes after Angel City's goal. The goal did not come straight off the corner, but the Bats were able to keep possession of the ball after a clearance from the corner kick. Rose Lavelle was able to strike the ball after playing a one-two with Melanie Sheehan straight to the bottom right corner.

The rest of the half would be very open for both teams, but none were able to convert another goal. Again, Berger made some great saves to keep Gotham's lead. After 12 minutes of stoppage time, the Bats were able to hold on for their third win in a row, and the unbeaten run extended to seven games.

Along with the team there were some individual wins for McCall Zerboni and Mandy Freeman. Zerboni subbed in for Ella Stevens, marking her first appearance since tearing her ACL at the start of last season. She was welcomed back onto the pitch with a rousing applause from Gotham supporters and given the captain's armband from Tierna Davidson. Mandy Freeman made her first start of the season and her 100th appearance in all competitions for Gotham. Freeman has been on the team since she was drafted in 2017. Freeman did not miss a beat as she played with a desire to go forward but was still committed to her defensive duties.

The Pride Night Celebration at Red Bull Arena was an overall success for the Bats as they now look to next weekend. Gotham hits the road to Louisville, where they will face off against Racing Louisville on Saturday at 12 pm.