A lot is being made of this being the first time Gotham goes to a NWSL title game, well though true in NWSL, not wholly truthful. In that they pre date this league, it is interesting how the team, rebranded from Sky Blue did take a title in the top tier of US women’s soccer back in 2009, in the WPS. That the team has not seized upon this to help connect to their past, to show their history and more is not so clear. Eli Manning is listed as an investor, it is said that investing in WOSOO is a good thing, again nothing on Lloyd being an investor.
Now well beyond their first segment, using a team owner as one to be involved in the pregame and not making such disclosure is to me even more odd. Speaking on how her team improved, and giving credit for such, again make it known. I do not recall any past games where an owner has been an on air personality for the game without disclosure not a visit to the booth but part and parcel of the broadcast.
First action near the goal is at 45 seconds. A ball off the wing into the 6, just beyond the forwards outstretched foot. Player down for Reign gabbing behind her ankle, signs of an achilles injury, limping off, she goes off at 4:30. Purce from well beyond the area sails one well beyond the goal. The first 15’ a lot of sloppy play on both ends, nerves perhaps. Clearing kick by the GK of the Reign barely clears the area, headed back and she picks it up again. The injured player is back to the bench. Her fiance from my hometown, Sue Bird does not look happy, she herself was a great youth soccer player. Midge to Lynn 1-0 @ 25’ and Lynn is flapping her bat wings. The loss of the ball at midfield by Reign, proves fatal, punish mistakes and win. Well placed inside for her for her 4th in the playoffs by Williams. 1v1 for Lavelle, I do not envy any GK in this situation and it comes past the high defense not even at the bottom of the circle, her left footed strike is true to tie the game. Sonnett now holding the front of her right foot, seems she was kicked as Esther just came by and she indicated she is ok. Her follow through as Emily went to ground and caught her. Emily sends one forward a bit too strong getting to the GK who kicks it out of play. Now down is a Gotham player. From a restart the post and bar are rocked by Gotham., Sheehan who all but broke the goal via the crossbar has stepped up her play through the latter part of the season. Purce for Williams who goes to her foot the head may have been the better attempt. Lavelle and her speed again an issue as Rose streaks down the line and plays one in, knocked out by the back line of NJ. Williams, called for a foul, indicates her USWNT cohort Huerta dove, but she did get her on the ankles. Reign offside but it looked like another jail break. Williams cuts it back and Reign give up the corner. Now a minute into the extra time Gotham with a corner, Esther celebrates the headed goal from Purce. Hardly the tallest but the timing and positioning on getting to a perfectly placed restart and burying it beyond the GK. Lavelle, fouled by Williams just beyond the area with 90 seconds to go in extra time. This will be a DFK, direct at goal I am sure. Huerta and Rose over the ball, the foul by another from the USWNT. Huerta with a lead pass partially cleared by Ali.
Both sides start the 2nd half as the first began, NJ, I am sure will sub at latest during the hour mark, Reign maybe sooner. Brunhina, beats a few, gives it up gets it back and fouled as Balcer throws the ball in no card? The Harvard educated Purce wants it as well. Kreiger loses it and it goes to goal harmlessly beyond the frame. Lavelle sprung into the area, turns back now it is just below the circle, should have gone on goal, Cook plays into Balcer from just inside the area and goes wide, From her chest to the goal and just wide. Latkso goes down in the area but no foul, her coach is not happy. Purce plays around her mark, sends it in and is cleared for a corner as she puts the ball into the 6 box. Brunhina with the heel ball going off a blue shirt wants the throw taken by Purce, Ryan cannot get her shot off. Latsko in on goal off a great lead ball, stopped alone by Mandy who remains down. She did land on that knee that is being looked at now. Midge, beats a pair sends in a screamer that does no harm. Lavelle sends one in but it goes over the end line. Lavelle over the top to Latsko but too much on it, sails out of play. Sheehan gives it a go from beyond the area but a shade high. Farrelly in for Ryan. At 72’ the first mention of Gotham and their taking the WPS title all those years ago. Quin for Latsko, she has been so active to replace her I feel is an error as Fishlock gets a partially blocked shot off. Cloud 9 singing the John Denver song Country Roads is very loud now. Huerta finds Quinn a midfield and now Sonnett. The pride of Northport, Allie Long is in for Sheehan. Harvey beside herself on a late throw from right in front of her. Williams v Cook and Cook pokes it out of touch. Gotham in no rush to get it in play as the crowd cheers them on. Sonnett carded for a foul on Purce, she megged her and got laid out for it. The restart towards goal, is played out of touch for a Gotham throw as Stengel is in for Esther, a pair out of Europe. A pair are down from a head blow as Amaros is heard pleading for a stoppage. Balcer sits out and Purce stays on. Five minutes of added time adds to the drama. Balcer for the corner in the area then it is whistled down for offside. Just in the Gotham half, Reign with a DFK it gets to Huerta, Quinn sends for Cook but it goes to the GK. Long ball from Reign goes out of touch, these long balls if they work are great if not lots of time lost with a minute left. Balcer shielded by Brunhina sends her a few yards past the GK. The GK takes a big chance I am pretty sure she was out of the area and Lavelle sends one over the bar. VAR should have his as a DFK. The center has gone to the VAR screen. Could lead to a red, will lead to a very close DFK. Much more drama now, this kick will end the game. Amaros gets a yellow. Mandy had to make a decision, the GK decided to play the ball with her hands, the header was missed. Betos has not been between the sticks since May. That graphic just flashed on screen as hey isolated a camera on her, but all subs have been done, she may not enter. Farrelly just took a GK top from the GK, but returned it she now has another, giving it to Martin. Mandy yelling at the crowd. The shirt being donned has no name or number on it? What an ending now at 11’. If it is passed then shot, it’s much more difficult to put on frame, the wall does its job Brunhina uses her hand to get it out of play but a throw in called Reign waned the kick. Williams with a great clear over the touchline from the area that is it Gotham champs.
What a win in what an amazing fashion, a few days of celebration then next season’s prep begins. To get to this point Gotham spent a lot on new players, new coach and did get the title. Will the ticket sales sustain this budget, new partnerships. The new TV deal? Even with late season games that were vital, the attendance was poor, the addition of the World Cup winning Esther may have caused a tick up in people but not much. The only game well attended was that of San Diego with Alex Morgan. I reached out twice on a season ticket for 2024, no replies. They were giving a hat and signed ball by Ali and the price of $11 per game not too bad either, but can’t buy what cannot be sold to me.