Gotham FC is headed to the NWSL playoffs after a 2-2 draw with Racing Louisville FC on Sunday afternoon at home.
It was make or break for Gotham, who needed a tie or win to officially qualify for the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell struck first with a shot from outside the box in the 15th minute.
Louisville then took the lead with two successive goals from Janine Sonis and Sarah Weber. Gotham trailed Louisville for 20 minutes before an 85th-minute free kick from Gotham midfielder Rose Lavelle put the Bats back in contention for a playoff spot.
Gotham has gone winless since their 3-0 win against the Portland Thorns on September 26, with two ties and a loss to the Kansas City Current since then putting their playoff spot in jeopardy. With Ann-Katrin Berger not available for a second game in a row and Esther González out with a hip injury, Gotham was missing several key players ahead of this critical Louisville match.
Gotham FC: 1.54 xG, 17 shots, 7 shots on target, 66% possession, 459 passes, 9 fouls, 7 corners, 1 saves
Racing Louisville FC: .72 xG, 9 shots, 3 shots on target, 34% possession, 239 passes, 11 fouls, 3 corners, 5 saves
Goals:
• Gotham FC, Jaelin Howell, 15′
• Racing Louisville FC, Janine Sonis, 29′
• Racing Louisville FC, Sarah Weber, 65′
• Gotham FC, Rose Lavelle, 85′
Attendance: 11,219
The Bats stepped up to the plate to clinch with a much-needed tie, a lineup of rookies and veterans pushing themselves defensively and offensively to grab a hard-fought point.
“Making it to the playoffs is a must,” said Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “Being Gotham Football Club in such a difficult league, especially over the last three years, shows consistency. I want to give a lot of credit to the players and staff for their effort all year. They’ve had to fight against so many challenges, especially with midweek games and missing key players. Today, they showed resilience.”
Lavelle saves the day
Who else but Gotham’s captain could take the free kick sending the Bats to the playoffs?
By the 85th minute, it was evident that Gotham needed some magic to steal a point from Louisville. When finally awarded a free kick, it came down to a matter of where Louisville would be standing to decide which Gotham player would step forward.
“We knew we just had to capitalize on our chances,” Lavelle said. “With the set piece, it was a matter of waiting to see where the wall set up and where the keeper stood. It felt like we were going to get one. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.”
CAPTAIN ROSE LAVELLE WITH THE FREE KICK GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!! 🌹🤩🎯
— The Women’s Game (@womensgamemib.bsky.social) 2025-10-19T20:59:02.062Z
It was Lavelle who came forward, sending a left-footed curling shot 20 yards out into the top left side of the goal. Gotham continued to push forward through stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough for a win. However, Lavelle’s late equalizer was just enough to keep Gotham in seventh on the table and send them through to the playoffs.
“Rose has been in form for a while,” said Amorós. “Football is special because players are the main characters and must take responsibility in key moments. Jaedyn Shaw and Rose both took responsibility and delivered fantastic goals. These moments are crucial to winning games, and we continue to grow together as a team.”
Comeback incoming?
Throughout the hard-fought draw, it seemed like Gotham was poised for a win. With over 11,000 fans in attendance, the Bats drove Louisville to the edge, taking 17 shots to their 9 and forcing Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer to save five of the seven shots on target. Like their past three matches, it wasn’t enough.
“We wanted the three points for a home match,” said Howell. “Honestly, I thought we deserved it. The way we played, we just needed to finish our chances. I thought we dominated the game for the most part.”
It’s been a tough month for the Bats. After two goalless draws against the Washington Spirit and Seattle Reign FC, Gotham’s 11-match unbeaten streak ended with a 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Current last weekend. It was a hard fall off for the club, who had scored in seven consecutive matches prior to October.
Racing their way to the lead!
Rookie Sarah Weber scores off the bounce and helps grab Racing Louisville the 2-1 lead!
Yesterday’s match showed some improvement on the offensive front, with Gotham scoring their first goal since September by playing hard on an attacking strategy. Gotham’s defense struggled against Louisville, with both goals coming from mistakes on Gotham’s end. It was push and pull between the two teams, although this tie could prove to be a turning point for the Bats.
Gotham play their final regular season game against the North Carolina Courage in November to determine their final place in the table.
Gotham need a win to end their season with a boost of confidence heading into the playoffs, but also because it could get them a place in the Top 4 of the NWLS table, pending results elsewhere in the league.
