Gotham FC grabs a victory with courage.
The Challenge Cup continued with the second game for Gotham F.C against North Carolina Courage. A match that saw some household names for women's soccer. Brazil’s Debinha and three members of the USWNT, Margaret Purce, Lynn Williams with legend Carly Lloyd. In a match full of goals, both teams fought until the end to grab hold of first place of the division. The winner of the group will advance to the final in May.
NWSL Challenge Cup 2021 recap week
The pride remains winless in this Challenge cup so far. A late goal cost them the valuable three points. The Pride returned to Exploria Stadium with fans for the first time since October 12,2019. The locals did well in the first half, and during the 15 minutes of the second half. Peterson played a low cross into the Box looking for Sydney Leroux, who slid onto it, but the ball went inches wide of the post. Both took shots from outside the box later on, but neither were threatening. The best chance for the visitors was in the 11th minute. Nicole Baxter played a cross into the box, and Konya Plummer committed a hand ball in the area, and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Naiomi Kawasumi stepped up, she hit a low shot to the right of Harris, who was able to make a diving save to keep the game scoreless. Orlando’s best chance came in the 38th minute. Phoebe McClernon played a great ball to Leroux, who got behind the Gotham defense. On a one on one with Didi Haracic, ended up making a great save, and denying the purple the opening goal. However, Gotham hit them on a counter attack in the 79th minute, Ifeoma Onomonu sent in a perfect ball after a run down the right wing. Monaghan was wide open and received the ball at the back post, who just took a little tap into the net for the 0-1. Ashlyn Harris made a good effort of trying to prevent the ball from going inside, but she couldn’t stop it from happening. The pride is back in action next Wednesday against the Spirit.
A lone goal and a strong defensive performance gives the ‘Thorns’ another valuable three pointer
After a 2-1 chippy win against Kansas, and the Red Stars, “The Thorns” lead the way in standings in Group B with 6 points.
No Pride Lost.
Home opening day for the pride against Gotham FC. For starters, MDH (Meggie Dougherty Howard) as a game-day surprise, was not on the starting lineup and also not on the bench, she had a small knock against Louisville that was a bit more severe than expected.
The Pride the first half started with good pressing against Gotham FC that tried to find Sodam Lee. Also, Courtney Petersen was eating up that left flank in attack, as well she was helping on defending. Superb job from the 7th pick in the draft. She had 66% accuracy on passes completed. Petersen created more chances in attack while Kornieck missed one clear shot in the 10th minute as well as Leroux missing a 1 vs 1 opportunity with the keeper in the 37th minute and as well in the 42nd minute.
While Orlando’s attack was solid in the first half but they weren’t able to score, Plummer on defense was inconsistent and left huge gaps. The good thing was that the crosses or passes Gotham FC attempted to get through her would end up in a turnover, but this lack of vision as a center back can cost us big time if we play a much better team than Gotham down the road.
In the second half, the Pride started going on the onslaught, as if they were committed to scoring. Turnover from Gotham, Petersen is fouled on the left flank of the pitch, free-kick close to the box, Marta shoots, no good. 53rd minute, Gotham FC foul on Leroux, free-kick was unsuccessful but the rebound was caught by phoebe mcclernon in the box but it was no good. It’s been all Orlando, on set pieces, through the left flank through the middle with Moore trying to find Kornieck.
Gotham started working on pressing Orlando’s defense and turnovers started to come for the pride. Gotham counterattacked unsuccessfully but, Plummer still was inconsistent leaving huge gaps that could’ve costed Orlando to lose their first home game of the season. It was not the CB’s night for sure. Peterson then was subbed out by Tymrak in the 73rd minute. In the 78th minute as predicted Onumonu escaped on the right flank and saw a huge gap left by the pride’s defense (Plummer and Krieger) and crossed it superbly to Monaghan that scored brilliantly, Gotham scored and ruined the Pride’s homecoming. In the 85th minute, a shot by Kornieck came close but was unlucky indeed. Gotham’s pumped the team up and from then on it was their game. Orlando attempted a couple of chances but all were unsuccessful.
Orlando has tied his first game against Racing Louisville and lost against Gotham at home, definitely not a good start for a Pride team that looked very promising during the preseason. This tournament just started and I truly hope Coach Skinner and the players can turn this boat around. No Pride lost. Vamos Orlando.
The Spirit and Elite Wellness announced a sponsorship agreement for this 2021 upcoming season
As part of this new partnership, they will serve as the performance, and the recovery partner. “Our players are really pleased with this new partnership and I can’t wait to see the benefits from the post-game recovery processes offered by Elite Wellness. Michael, our High-Performance Director will be the lead in this partnership and he is excited that we have these types of services so close at hand to our players’ apartments. This is a great opportunity to forge a really strong relationship with some top professional people at Elite Wellness, who I believe will be of the mind that serving our players at the highest standards will be a huge priority,” said Spirit Head Coach Richie Burke