Challenge Cup ’23: NJ/NY Gotham vs Orlando Pride

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100% of the proceeds go to relief efforts on Maui through the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. Mahalo @GothamFC & @nwsl_players for making this happen, I can’t thank you enough!! https://t.co/lv5ssVBfqA

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Players to watch: Since the beginning of last season, Gotham forward Midge Purce has scored in three different matches against the Pride in all competitions, including in a league win earlier this year. The only player with more games with at least one goal against Orlando in that time is Debinha (4).

Pride forward Messiah Bright led Orlando with two shots on target against Washington after entering the match with zero shots on target in the four previous Challenge Cup appearances in her career.

Match facts: Gotham FC hosts the Orlando Pride at Red Bull Arena in the final group stage game, one that carries major implications. Gotham must beat Orlando to clinch a spot in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup playoffs. Should Gotham win by 7 or more goals, it will earn the 2-seed, while a win by 6 goals or less would clinch it the 3-seed. However, a Gotham draw, or a loss means North Carolina will clinch a spot, win the East division, and earn the 3-seed.

Gotham FC is coming off a 2-0 home win over the Courage on Saturday and has delivered shutout wins in both of its home Challenge Cup games in 2023. Gotham has also allowed just five goals at home across all competitions this season, the fewest of any NWSL team.

Gotham has won five of its last eight matches against Orlando, most recently a 3-1 win in Challenge Cup play last month. Before its current run of form in the fixture, Gotham had four wins in the 14 all-time meetings in all competitions (4-4-6).

Not the start Gotham wanted or needed tonight in a must-win matchup with the Pride of Orlando. The side has been in a tough battle throughout the first 32′ of play in the first half. It’s a style of play Gotham usually likes but the fouls they’re receiving seem to be taking a total on the side as they’ve played a tougher schedule due to two matches being rescheduled in a short time of each other on top of the original schedule.

Messiah Bright got loose in the box and found space 2 yards from the middle of the goal and beat Mandy Haught almost via a nutmeg to get the go-ahead goal. The fans seem more invested in telling the center official about himself tonight than supporting the players on the field. Orlando (0 – 1) and playing spoiler very well tonight so far.

Gotham needs to find a way to get the fans involved in a better way because they need a lot of goals tonight if they want to advance as the 2nd seed and as of now need 2 goals just to make it as the 3rd seeded team.

Gotham is playing frustrated and not their game this half, Juan will need a major reset at halftime and NJ/NY needs to survive a minimum of an additional 4′ to the half. I won’t even bother to mention the crowd size because this team deserves better by a country mile.

Gotham got lucky there, Messiah Bright misplayed a pass that would have sent her in all alone between the center-backs for a 1 on 1 with Mandy in the dying minutes. Gotham escapes only being down a goal, something they can recover from if they find themselves at halftime.

Gotham makes a halftime substitution bringing on Bruninha for Mandy Freeman to start the second half. Gotham responding better but still playing tight 6′ into the second half. Midge dribbled out on the goal line, but the assistant referee bailed her out, Orlando was unhappy with the corner kick decision, and they clear the corner easily.

Orlando thought they had a second goal in the 60′ but one of the players for the Pride handled the ball before the goal. A huge break for Gotham FC and the supporter section gets loud trying to use the VAR call to spark some energy in the side.

Juan is now going to make a midfield move, he is bringing on Maitane Lopez to replace Martin. Bruninha hits Stengle with a great ball into the box but she can’t control it and the ball is turned over. The substitution is officially made in the 67′ of the second half.

Stengle with a solid look at the goal sees her shot blocked out for a corner kick in the 69′ of play. Ellie Jean whiffs badly on a perfect ball into the box from 5 yards out from the center of the goal off the corner kick. We stay at a scoreline of 0 -1, in favor of the Pride.

In the 72′ Gotham brings on Taylor Smith for Sheehan and Orlando takes off Messiah Bright for Ally Watt. Gotham squanders another corner kick attempt, letting the Pride clear the ball easily from the box.

Ali Long with a critical misread missing a wide-open Bruninha on the right flank of the pitch, completely unmarked going towards the goal in the 76′, Ali has to see that and make that stretch pass. Orlando is suffocating the middle of the pitch, and the Gotham players keep trying to go through the middle.

Shim is getting set to enter for Gotham on the sideline, in the meantime, Gotham is trying to stretch Orlando wide finally, and now Shim enters for Edmonds in the 81′.

Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Midge leads Jenna too far to the goal line and her attempt goes well wide of the goal in the 82′. Former owner Cooley is cheering his former team Gotham FC (formerly known as Sky Blue) on from the stands.

Shim is given a yellow card then the center tells her to leave the field after it for a head injury that even Shim is unaware of and she is moving fine. She wants back into the game and is being held back by the officials. She finally is let back on after missing 30 seconds of the match.

In the 86′ Gotham has a golden corner kick chance and they’re not winning the aerial battles; they’re trying to shoot through bodies at this point in the middle of the box. If Gotham can win just one tonight, we would have a different match. Gotham needs a win; a draw doesn’t help them at all. Midge continues to dribble into traffic unable to draw a call near the box tonight. In the 89′ another golden chance in front of the Pride keeper was wasted by Gotham, they can’t win an aerial ball to save themselves tonight.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of 8′ added to the match, plenty of time for Gotham to get two goals but they need to figure it out fast. There it is Shim wins a ball just left of the goal and we have a 1 – 1 tie now with plenty of time left. Juan wants to restart quickly, but officials need to wait for VAR to clear the goal. The goal came in the 90’+1′ with the assist going to Midge Purce.

Video Credit and Question: J.J. Pavlick of Bad Dawg Sports

Ali is all alone in front of the goal and misses a beautiful ball heading it over the crossbar in the 90’+2′, then the center cards Juan for no idea what, maybe he just didn’t like him being happy.

Shim gives it a go from 20- yards but the shot is saved by Moorhouse, Orlando counters, and nearly scores but the post says not today.

Time is now running out on Gotham; they need to find one more to advance to the knockout rounds. The fourth tells Juan there are 2′ left to play and the center blows the final whistle ending the match, and Juan is not happy, yelling at the fourth “You lied to me, you lied to me!” That is the match and Gotham FC falls short by a goal, it’s a disappointment for sure but they’re in a solid position for a strong playoff push for the NWSL Championship.

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Photo Credit: ,© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports