Send Out the Bat Signal in Gotham

Gotham entered today’s match in desperate need of three points, the team has been on a skid since playing Washington where they lost the lead in the 69’ and ended in a 1-1 tie. They then dropped a big game to San Diego at home in the second half when Jaedyn found a gaping 45-yard hole in the Gotham midfield and Makenzy Doniak scored the lone goal in front of the record crowd.

The team would see the Canadian Wildfires postpone their Challenge Cup match vs Orlando before facing a hot Houston team in which it took Lynn Williams converting a 53’ penalty kick to tie a Houston side that controlled the majority of the match.

Now they’re in Louisville trying to end the streak of underperforming. This team was the 1st seed just weeks prior and the hottest team in the league, now they’re being exposed in the midfield, and glimpses of last season are starting to appear again. Can Juan and the team right the ship without a fully ready Kelly O’Hara and missing Midge Purce, Taylor Smith, and Ali Krieger?

The Louisville team didn’t wait long to bounce on Gotham and took the early lead in just the 23’ Savannah DeMelo placed the shot inside the 1st post low corner after Gotham failed to clear the initial save by Abby Smith. Something fans haven’t seen this season but saw a ton of last season. Louisville would continue to dominate every third of the pitch and not allow Gotham to breathe. When Gotham did sneak a peek at goal, Louisville stood strong and caused off-balance or weak deflections to their keeper.

The first half would end with Louisville up 1-0, Juan will need to adjust, but the question is whom he brings on. The bench is not strong currently due to injuries and the players on the bench are not fully fit.

Gotham brings on Kelly O’Hara for Jenna Nighswonger who was just having a really bad day out there on the pitch getting exposed by Louisville wingers and midfield. The Sub was made at halftime and considered 45’.

The Louisville side didn’t waste time getting their second goal in the 46’ When Thembi Kgatlana slotted the ball into the bottom right corner after burning her defender and having a 2 v 1 plus Smith who couldn’t break the angle enough, the far post shot snuck in and now Gotham is down 2, not the start you want to see with how the season is going as of late and a World Cup break approaching fast.

Just three minutes later Louisville would have another odd man advantage this time the wide-open shot from the top of the penalty spot would be airmailed into the stands. Then again in the 51’ they would see another two on one opportunity spoiled when the shot went just wide of the far post and the support stopped to watch instead of completing the run to the post.

Gotham is looking bad and honestly are lucky to not be down by 4 or more goals. It is a rarity to see out of this side, Gotham is used to being the bully, the team on top dominating the game. These performances have brought back nightmares for fans, they’re trying to keep positive but when your team finishes dead last, last year, and gives up a goal diff of -30 you can’t blame them.

No one wants to see that team reappear, no one wants to see Juan Carlos and his high-pressure formation fail. NY needs a winning soccer club and right now it was Gotham FC and needs to be Gotham FC. Both men’s sides are in shambles trying to figure life out and playing in the feeder pool this season. Gotham was the Great White at the season start, we need them to stop being a nurse shark and go back to being the Great White again.

Gotham would get some chances when they brought on Mewis, Farrelly, and Ifeoma. Mewis would get 4 corner opportunities in a row, the first was deflected out at the near post but the next three would be placed dangerously and perfectly. Unfortunately, they were not finished as expected by veterans Kelly O’Hara and Lynn Williams. After the failed chances Louisville would take over subbing in Paige and that was all it took for them to settle the game, gain control again and seal the deal.

Juan was asked post-game with it being the team’s first winless streak, what do you feel needs to be done to right the ship before the June 25th match vs Chicago? He started with he wouldn’t call it a losing streak. While technically right his team has not won a regular season game since May 21st against OL Reign where they won 4-1. They’ve lost two matches and barely tied two matches. Losing streak, slump, poor form, whatever you want to call it Juan it’s an issue and a glaring one right now. The fact is Gotham was atop the table just a few weeks ago and now they’re down at the Mendoza line (1W, 3D, 2L). They currently hold the last playoff spot by just a point over the soaring Houston Dash, 3 points over Louisville, and 5 over Orlando going into send-off week. The first 2 teams hunting Gotham are on a hot streak with Houston (3W, 2D, 1L) and Louisville (3W, 2D, 1L).

Do I think the ceiling of this team has been reached and they have nothing more to offer? No, this team is far from its peak but while saying that they do need to figure out the injury bug with some players and will need to use the transfer window wisely to make needed signings for the championship run everyone is looking for.

It can’t be Lynn “Bats” Williams or Bust anymore, she needs help up top to get the freedom to do what she does best. Right now, the league knows the game plan, now it’s on Gotham to cause chaos in that gameplan again.