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How Gotham FC can fix their scoring woes

Professional, Featured, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Soccer

May 3, 2024

In this young NWSL season, Gotham FC has a current record of one win, two draws, and two defeats. Both ties were 1-1 draws, while the losses were 1-0 and 2-0, respectively. Both losses were also away from home. It seems, however, that Gotham has a scoring problem.

Every game this season has featured a different Starting XI from Gotham. It is always one to three different players, but it can make a difference. For instance, Lynn Williams started as the center forward against the Washington Spirit, with Esther Gonzalez playing in the midfield. Different players in different positions do affect how a team plays. Building chemistry with a starting lineup is also essential to the game.

As a whole, the play on the pitch lacks attacking creativity. Gotham tends to have a good amount of possession of the ball. It is in the final third where they struggle. This past weekend against Louisville, many times the Bats got in front of goal, they would try to stay toward the middle of the pitch. There would be five defenders to two Gotham players, and nothing would come out of going straight down the middle. There was not much play coming from the width of the pitch. When in the final third, the Gotham forwards get tunnel vision, only looking toward goal. While this is the main objective, scoring is hard when the middle of the pitch is clogged up. Spreading the ball to the width of the pitch drags out defenders and creates space. It allows runners into the box for a quality cross to be hit toward them.

Obviously, this is all easier said than done, but creating space is essential to getting good looks at goal and having players create for themselves and their teammates. One thing instilled in players is that their heads should always be on a swivel, always looking for the open man or open space. With Gotham, the forwards often play with their heads down, looking to go straight at the goal rather than looking to an open teammate. Bruninha always makes that wide run, so looking for her can create the space to go to goal, again dragging defenders wide. Even just playing a quick 'one-two' can break down a defense.

There is also the fact of counterattacks. It is a risk-and-reward method when teams wait to hit on the counter. Many times against Gotham, it has been more rewarding. When a team has possession without purpose, it just takes one goal to almost ensure a win. It takes just that one shot on target to get a goal, and when the opponent is not scoring, that one goal may be the only one a team needs. This makes Gotham's scoring woes more worrisome.

Though it is very early in the season, Gotham should look to make adjustments to how they attack the goal. The keys to this would be to create space, play the ball out wide, and play simple soccer.