Gotham FC and CF Monterrey Femenil kicked off their campaigns in the second-ever Concacaf W Champions Cup at Icahn Stadium on a rainy Wednesday night in New York City. Gotham came out on top, winning 2-1 in the first game the club has played in New York City proper.
It was the second time that the two teams have met head-to-head after they drew during the group stage of the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup last year. Both sides featured heavily rotated squads, and looked to be hindered by the soaking wet conditions as Hurricane Erin makes its way up the East Coast. But Gotham's quality came through as they won for the first time in all competitions since June 21.
Here are three thoughts about the Goth's victory on Randall's Island.
1. A heavily rotated Starting XI
Gotham started a heavily rotated side on Wednesday, and it worked. The Bats will play three games in six days this week, and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós gave many of his regulars a break – and gave midfielder Sofia Cook, defender Kayla Duran, midfielder Josefine Hasbo, and goalkeeper Shelby Hogan their first starts for Gotham. Hogan, who featured with Portland Thorns as a backup before joining Gotham this season, was solid throughout tonight's game.
Bruninha opens the scoring for Gotham FC | Courtesy Concacaf W Champions Cup
It was a lineup that relied heavily on collegiate players, with Cook (University of Minnesota), Khyah Harper (UCLA), and Hasbo (Harvard University) all joining Gotham this year. The average age of the players on the field dropped even further in the 90th minute, when 15-year-old Mak Whitham came on for four minutes of stoppage time.
2. But can you do it on a rainy Wednesday on Randall's Island?
Most promising for Gotham, this heavily rotated side got the win despite the poor conditions. The Bats haven't had the easiest return to National Women's Soccer League play, compiling a record of 0W-2D-1L since returning from the international break. This win is the team's first since June 21, and could give the squad some momentum as they prepare to host Utah Royals on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Gotham now sit in 8th Place in the NWSL table, just inside the playoff zone, but only three points separate them and 12th Place Angel City FC — the race for the postseason is going to be tight, with six teams competing for the final two spots. If Gotham can build on this win with another on Saturday, they could start to climb the standings and eye 4th or 5th Place.
Megha Gupta
3. Raining, pouring
It was pouring rain the whole game, and the wind kept getting stronger as the game went on. The rain didn't stop the Gotham fans, who were cheering, chanting, and beating drums for the whole 90 minutes plus stoppage time – but it did manage to take the umbrella of someone on the sidelines for a brief flight onto the field during halftime.
The rain and cold seemed to slow the pace of the game in the second half despite regular starters such as Esther González and Geyse subbing on for Gotham. Both the hosts and Monterrey had their chances, but neither managed to score a goal in the second half.
Hudson River Blue Staff
