Oct 5, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Esther Gonzalez (9) celebrates with midfielder Jenna Nighswonger (2) and midfielder Emily Sonnett (6) following a second half goal against Bay FC at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Led by two goals from Esther Gonzalez scored in the span of three minutes, Gotham FC beat Bay FC 5-1 on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.
With the victory, Gotham (14-4-5, 47 points) extended its unbeaten streak to four matches and held its spot in third place in the NWSL table. Bay FC (9-13-1, 28 points) has lost two of its last three games but still holds on to the eighth and final playoff bid.
Gotham struck first with a goal from Jenna Nighswonger on a penalty in the ninth minute, then Asisat Oshoala scored the equalizer for Bay FC in the 18th minute. Rose Lavelle broke the tie in the 70th minute, then Gonzalez found the back of the net in the 72nd and 74th minutes. CeCe Kizer added another score for good measure for Gotham in the 84th minute.
In all, Gotham got off 21 shots and put nine of them on frame.
Gonzalez also provided the assist on Lavelle’s goal. She has six goals and four assists on the season now.
NC Courage 2, San Diego Wave FC 1
Aline Gomes and Manaka Matsukubo scored as the Courage won at home over the Wave in Cary, N.C., to clinch a spot in the NWSL playoffs.
The goal for Gomes — a 19-year-old rookie from Brazil — was the first of her NWSL career, as she cleaned up an attempt from Matsukubo with a right-footed shot from close range to give the Courage (12-9-2, 38 points) an early lead. After Matsukubo’s goal just before halftime, Hanna Lundkvist netted a late goal for San Diego (5-11-7, 22 points) in the 84th minute.
Courage defender Kaleigh Kurtz sealed the win in the waning moments of the match with a crucial and timely goal-line clearance. More than 8,400 fans attended the match at WakeMed Soccer Park, making it the fourth-highest attended match in Courage history.
Kansas City Current 2, Racing Louisville FC 0
Temwa Chawinga extended her lead in the Golden Boot race by scoring her 18th goal of the season as the Current won and kept a clean sheet in Louisville.
It marked the first win for the Current (13-3-7, 46 points) in Louisville (6-10-7, 25 points).
Chawinga scored almost immediately, weaving through the Louisville defense in the second minute after receiving a pass from Debinha then striking the back of the net from inside the penalty area. Chawinga needs just one more goal to take ownership of the NWSL’s single-season scoring record, which she currently shares with former Chicago striker Sam Kerr.
Vanessa DiBernardo put the game on ice for the Current in the 86th minute, scoring off a stunning right-footed free kick from just outside the penalty area.
Royals 2, Thorns 1
Utah topped host Portland behind goals from Hannah Betfort and Mina Tanaka to win back-to-back matches for just the second time this season.
On a counterattack in the 47th minute, Betfort received the ball in the final third and sliced between two defenders before chipping it over goalkeeper Shelby Hogan to open the scoring for the Royals (6-14-3, 21 points). Tanaka then found the back of the net in the 50th minute, driving home a rebound of a blocked free kick.
Portland (8-11-4, 28 points) got a goal back in the 53rd minute when Olivia Moultrie scored on a penalty kick. At 19 years, 18 days old, she is the youngest player in the history of the NWSL to score a PK, according to OptaJack.
–Field Level Media
