COVID Hit NJ/NY Gotham Fall

A depleted NJ/NY Gotham FC team fell to Chicago Red Stars 2-0 on Sunday evening at SeatGeek Stadium. Gotham was missing five players after a COVID outbreak and two more due to personal reasons, but the visiting team was on the attack early.

COVID Hit NJ/NY Gotham Fall To Chicago Red Stars

Paige Monaghan was just high off the crossbar in the sixth minute on the first real chance for Gotham FC. Kristie Mewis kicked one just above the crossbars as well in the 17^th minute on a set piece, followed by a Taryn Torres shot that sailed over the crossbar in the 19^th minute.

Estelle Johnson cleared one out of the box midway through the first half, as Gotham’s defense remained stalwart with a few stops before Chicago Tatumn Milazzo scored in extra time to give the Red Stars a 1-0 lead at the half.

“We’re not playing well enough individually. We have a game plan, and we know what it is and we just aren’t playing well enough individually to execute it,” Johnson said. “I’m not quite sure why. Obviously, that’s something that we’re trying to figure out ourselves. But I just think that together as a team, whether it’s whatever it is, we just need to start playing better individually honestly.”

PRAISE FOR ESTELLE JOHNSON

While Johnson didn’t think she had a great game individually, never liking to give up two goals as a center back, her coach sang her praises.

“Estelle Johnson was unbelievable tonight,” coach Scott Parkinson said. “She’s a warrior. She knows exactly what it is to compete for this club through the highs and the lows. And she’s had a really tough couple of weeks after coming back from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. I’m really pleased with her performance. I thought she was great.”

Michelle Betos made a diving save in the 56^th minute before making another diving save while Chicago was in transition in the 63^rd minute before Ava Cook scored in the 66^th minute for the Red Stars to make it 2-0.

Gotham FC will travel cross-country to take on the OL Reign at Lumen Field. The kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. ET. Fans catch the action live on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Twitch internationally.

Lineups:

CHI: 1 – Alyssa Naeher; 20 – Zoe Morse; 3 – Arin Wright; 23 – Tatum Milazzo; 22 – Bianca St-Georges (14 Jill Aguilera 84’); 24 – Danny Colaprico; 10 – Vanessa DiBernardo; 11 – Sarah Luebbert (5 – Rachel Hill 66’); 7 – Yuki Nagasato; 25 – Ava Cook (8 Ella Stevens 84’); 9 – Mallory Pugh 31 – Amanda Kowalski 90’);

Substitutes not used: 26 – Mikenna McManus; 18 Sam Fisher; 19 Channing Foster; 19 – Channing Foster; 15 – Sarah Griffith; 21 – Emily Boyd;

NJY: 1 – Michell Betos; 3 – Caprice Dydasco (44 – Jenna Bike 77’); 21 – Ellie Jean; 22 – Mandy Freeman; 24 – Estelle Johnson; 8 – Taryn Torres (5 – Nicole Baxter); 7 – McCall Zerboni (6 – Jennifer Cudjoe 78’);  4 – Paige Monaghan (9 – Nahomi Kawasumi 70’); 19 – Kristie Mewis; 23 – Midge Purce; 20 – Taylor Smith (2 – Cameron Tucker 79’);

Substitutes not used: 8 – Taryn Torres; 13 – Kumi Yokoyama; 15 – Sabrina Flores;