Gotham FC's struggles continue against Racing Louisville FC

Featured, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Professional, Soccer

April 29, 2024

After losing 2-0 to the Washington Spirit last weekend, Gotham FC was looking to turn around their recent form on Sunday night. The Bats, however, could not make the most of being at home against Racing Louisville.

The first twenty minutes of the first 45 saw Gotham with better chances. They also had the majority of the possession; however, their creation in the final third still lacks the creativity to get a good shot off. Gotham let Racing Louisville grow into the game as the first half continued without a goal. Though Gotham did not give Racing any real chances at goal, having them grow into the game was not ideal, as it saw the Bats enter the final third much less than they did in the first twenty minutes.

The second half started with head coach Juan Carlos Amoros subbing out Esther Gonzalez for Katie Stengel. There was a shift in Gotham's creativity to start the second half. Five minutes into the half, Crystal Dunn got a shot straight at goal with it saved off the line. In the 74th minute, Rose LaVelle and Ella Stevens subbed in place of Dunn and Lynn Williams. This would be LaVelle's debut for the Bats. The rest of the second half would be choppy as the referee stopped play many times for marginal contact. At the end of the second half, ten extra minutes of extra time were added.

Racing Louisville would take a 1-0 lead in the added time with a goal coming from sub Reilyn Turner. Racing had hit Gotham on the counterattack and was able to attack with numbers as the ball entered straight through the 18 for Turner's clear shot on goal. This woke Gotham up as they would tie it less than two minutes later. From the kick-off, the Bats were able to get into the 18 and force Louisville keeper Katie Lund to come out and try to make a save. She bobbled the ball, which fell for Stevens to pass to LaVelle, who would tie the game at one. The game would end with Gotham attacking the final third with no results. The game would end in a 1-1 draw.

Gotham has been struggling recently with finding goals. The Bats play quickly and can enter their opponent's final third on multiple occasions. Last night, it was the same story, as Gotham had many quality possessions but could not create a quality shot on goal. With the play always going centrally, the Bats must look wide as they can draw away defenders from those in the middle waiting for a cross. Even simply switching the field to the open side of the pitch would help alleviate the pitch's compactness.