Gotham City FC five-game unbeaten streak
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 11, 2021) – NJ/NY Gotham FC traveled to Providence Park to face the Portland Thorns on Sunday afternoon. After some brilliant displays of goalkeeping, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw. With the result, Gotham FC now has 13 points on the season after eight games and continues a five-game unbeaten streak.
.@DIdeeds coming up big, what's new? 🤷♀️#PORvNJNY | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/mojELkSrJg
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 11, 2021
The first half saw a physical battle between the two teams. The Portland Thorns forced two massive saves from goalkeeper DiDi Haracic that required extra help, once from Ifeoma Onumonu and then again from Estelle Johnson, to make clearances off the goal line to deny Portland two potential first half goals. Despite both teams’ efforts, they headed into the half scoreless.
The opening minutes of the second half saw an early chance for Portland to get on the score line. Forward Morgan Weaver took a strike from the top of the box that seemed destined for the back of the net, but was stopped by the woodwork. In the closing minutes of regulation, Onumonu nearly scored her fourth goal of the regular season on a near post header that just clipped the post.
Gotham FC’s defense once again proved to be resilient against a Portland offense that outshot the visitors 22-10. Johnson played an integral part of the backline’s success, ending the match with eight clearances, two interceptions, and four blocks. In the 65th minute, she reached 10,000 regular season minutes played, a milestone only achieved by 17 players (14 field players) before her. Budweiser Player of the Match DiDi Haracic earned the shutout, her second of the regular season, and ended the match with four big saves.
Gotham FC Head Coach Freya Coombe:
“For us it was the traditional cliche of a game of two halves. We struggled a little bit under Portland’s pressure in the first half and weren’t able to really keep the ball, but definitely improved in the second half. We were able to possess, move it, and create better chances. Overall, we felt a bit hard done by not really being able to come out with a result towards the end after putting a lot of pressure, but probably a fair result overall.”
Following Sunday’s match, Gotham FC will stay on the road and travel to Segra Field to take on the Washington Spirit on Sunday, July 18 at 5:00 p.m. Gotham FC returns home to Red Bull Arena on July 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET to take on the Chicago Red Stars.
MATCH REPORT
Match: Portland Thorns FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Date: July 11, 2021
Venue: Providence Park; Portland, Ore.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Mid 70s; sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0
NJ/NY Gotham FC 0 0 0
Lineups:
POR: 31-Bella Bixby; 14-Natalia Kuikka, 5-Emily Menges (capt.), 20-Kelli Hubly, 25-Meghan Klingenberg (15-Madison Pogarch, 83), 36-Angela Salem (18-Christen Westphal, 83); 11-Rocky Rodriguez, 30-Celeste Boureille (23-Yazmeen Ryan, 56); 7-Simone Charley (9-Sophia Smith, 57), 22-Morgan Weaver, 40-Marissa Everett (42-Olivia Moultrie, 68)
Substitutes not used: 39-Meaghan Nally, 41-Hannah Betfort, 43-Shelby Hogan, 44-Raisa Strom-Okimoto
NJY: 13-DiDi Haracic; 15-Sabrina Flores (3-Caprice Dydasco, 46), 12-Gina Lewandowski, 24-Estelle Johnson, 28-Imani Dorsey; 7 McCall Zerboni (capt.) (6-Jennifer Cudjoe, 55), 16-Allie Long, 11-Sodam Lee (27-Gaëtane Thiney, 71); 23-Margaret Purce, 25-Ifeoma Onumonu, 9-Nahomi Kawasumi (19-Elizabeth Eddy, 70)
Substitutes not used: 2-Brianna Pinto, 14-Kenie Wright, 17-Domi Richardson, 18-Delanie Sheehan, 21-Mandy McGlynn
Stats Summary: POR / NJY
Shots: 22 / 10
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 8 / 8
Fouls: 11 / 11
Offside: 2 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
NJY – Gina Lewandoski (caution) 10’
NJY – Margaret Purce (caution) 29’
NJY – Nahomi Kawasumi (caution) 33’
NJY – Imani Dorsey (caution) 90+2’
Officials:
Referee: Tori Penso
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner
Assistant Referee 2: Kali Smith
4th Official: Corbyn May
Budweiser Player of the Match: DiDi Haracic
