NJ/NY Gotham FC maintained its top spot in the NWSL standings after a 1-1 road draw against the Washington Spirit on Sunday night. Brazilian National Team defender Bruninha scored the opening goal of an intense match, and Gotham FC now leads the league with 17 points as the club prepares for a massive home match on June 4.
Gotham FC 1 Washington Spirit 1
Report by GothamFC.com
With a 5-2-2 record through nine weeks of regular season play, Gotham FC remains atop the league table for consecutive weeks after last appearing as the top-ranked team in 2013.
“I’m proud of this group of players, the football we are displaying and how they believe in the style of the game plan” said Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “The players are really understanding, executing, and people are enjoying [watching us play]. For me, this is great, but now it’s a question of making sure we can do it again next weekend against San Diego.”
The first goal of the night came in the 22nd minute on a combination play that saw defender/forward Taylor Smith slot a through-ball into Bruninha for the top-corner finish that remained the only score heading into halftime. The finish marked the Brazilian’s second goal in as many games.
Gotham FC forward Yazmeen Ryan made a diving header that went into the back of the net in the 54th minute. However, after VAR, the goal was disallowed due to a handball in the attacking phase of play that led up to the initial score.
Later in the second half, the Washington Spirit came back in the 69th minute to even the scoreline at 1-1, with a goal from Paige Metayer.
Bruninha was named the Gotham FC Player of the Match, presented by CarMax.
“Since I don’t score very often, I’m always happy when I do” said Bruninha through an interpreter. “I am feeling very accomplished. This is a league where every single game is played at a high level and this has been very good for my personal development.”
Gotham FC Lineup
Abby Smith, Jenna Nighswonger, Ali Krieger, Bruninha, Ellie Jean, Kristie Mewis, Nealy Martin, Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, Lynn Williams, Taylor Smith
Next Up
Gotham FC returns home to host the San Diego Wave at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m. The match has surpassed a ticket-sales milestone, with more than 11,000 sold for Gotham FC’s Pride Night match, marking the highest single-game ticket sales total in club history at Red Bull Arena.
As Gotham FC is tracking to fill the entire 11,000-seat lower bowl, the club has officially opened additional inventory in the upper bowl.
Fans can purchase tickets here to be a part of this historic moment. Highlights of the matchday experience will include the Gotham FC Fan Fest presented by CarMax, beginning at 3 p.m., followed by the newly inaugurated pregame tradition of the Torch Lighting Ceremony right before kickoff.
Season Ticket Memberships and group ticket packages are also available by visiting GothamFC.com