Lynn Williams & Gotham Hold off Red Stars at Red Bull Arena

Today’s matchup between Gotham and the Red Stars is the side’s final match before their players leave for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. Gotham enters struggling to win a game since May 21 when they beat OL Reign on the road 4 – 1, for Chicago they’ve been at the bottom of the league since losing phenom Malory Swanson due to injury during a call-up to the National team.

It’s a match in which both sides want the full three points from. A win for Chicago gets them back into the playoff hunt at the break, Gotham they’re hanging on by their teeth to the final playoff spot with two of the hottest teams in the league on their heels. Gotham signed midfielder Mana Shim to a short-term injury replacement contract. Shim will be available to Gotham today and is starting the match on the bench.

“I am excited to return to the NWSL as part of Gotham FC. It’s a demanding and professional environment that’s focused on players first, and they have put together an incredibly talented group that I’m honored to share the field with.”

Mana Shim Gotham FC Midfielder

It will be interesting to see how Juan Carlos uses the new addition who brings a good amount of experience to the table. Gotham’s GM had this to say about the signing of Shim.

“Mana is a veteran leader who brings knowledge and experience as a fantastic addition to this great group of players,” said Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “We have worked hard to create a welcoming environment for players, and we are proud that she has chosen to be a part of this club.”

Yael Averbuch West GM and Head of Soccer Operations for Gotham FC

The first half was interesting, to say the least, the Red Stars came out strong challenging Abby Smith often in the opening minutes and nearly capitalized on a few Abby Smith blunders out of the box in no man’s land. Chicago thought they had the early lead, but the goal was called back due to offside. Gotham started creating chances about midway through the half with Lynn Williams having the most dangerous of the chances. However, veteran keeper Alyssa Naeher so far is standing strong despite the fact she is having her worst season in a while.

Chicago smells blood in the water and they refuse to lay down for Gotham. The first half was chippy between the sides, but no major fouls had been committed via either side.

Will Juan go to his bench at halftime, most likely the answer is no, he is short-handed player-wise, and based on his reactions on the sideline he seems okay with how the play has been so far. If anything, look for Juan to make a move midway through the second half or late second half. Despite the temperature and humidity, there were no water breaks during the first half.

Before the game, you guys made a short-term contract with Mana Shim what role do you see her filling in during this break for you guys? “Oh, Mana is a super intelligent and technical player. So, I think she can help us definitely on that side of things coming out of pressure creating things on zone 3, and zone 4, she’s good towards the goal and good at crossing. And so that’s why I say you know, she’s good at the spot. Now what role exactly she will have, we will have to see, but definitely a player we’re going to have that on the defensive side to understanding what we want on that side. But then also, you know, I always say I will try to create the frame for the place to paint, paint the picture of and I think she’s a very critical player accompanying a lot in that position or one of those positions going forward.”

Juan Carlos Amoros Head Coach Gotham FC

Chicago does make a substitution at the half bringing on Sarah Griffith for Sandra Starke. The central midfielder had played well in the first half so a bit odd to see her come off at half unless there is a nagging injury or heat-related issue. Send out the Bat Signal Gotham FC’s superhero returns to the goal column Lynn “Bats” Williams with the bender far post to put Gotham up 1 – 0 in the 46′, assist is credited to Nealy Martin.

In the 53′ under a perfectly sunny sky, the game enters a severe weather watch. The game was delayed due to lightning strikes at Newark Liberty Airport inside the radius of the arena parameters set by the league.

After the 20+ minute delay, the game is getting set to restart after a 14-minute warm-up for the players. There is another major storm in the area about 45 minutes out give or take. If that one hits, we could see a lengthy delay, or see the match terminated with results standing as is time of call.

Chicago scored in the 55′ after the lightning delay and during a decent rainfall, the goal was scored by Cari Roccaro assisted by Sarah Griffith. Kelly O’Hara exits to a standing ovation by the fans in the 64′. Lynn Williams nearly knocked the roof off of Red Bull Arena, her shot just missed the far post by an inch at most. We’re in the 66′ and the storm is just 9 miles out now with lightning in the forecast.

The next onset of rain and possible lightning is just 5 minutes out and Ali Long just created her own lightning bolts on a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out, under the crossbar and Gotham is back on top just in time too. The score is now 2 – 1 in the 70′ of play, can we hit the 80′ mark before the next lightning cluster?

Gotham trying to play the clock as much as they can to keep the Red Stars out of the final third. Midge with her first shot in a long time at goal, but it’s blocked, and Chicago counters quickly and gets off a decent shot at Abby Smith, but it goes wide of the far post for a goal kick. Midge has been out for a while due to a leg injury.

We’re now in the 80′ of play and the game should the skies open with lightning would be at a point to just end it. The storm has moved north of the arena, and it looks like we will get to see out the full 90’+ that this showdown has to offer.

Kristie Mewis gets a standing ovation as she exits the field for Zerboni in the 90′.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of 4′ added to the match.

Photo Credit: Sean McCaffery (Soccer LI Magazine)