Gotham FC made it back-to-back wins and extended its NWSL unbeaten streak to three games with a 3-1 victory over Angel City on Sunday at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Gotham scored three second-half goals to earn a come-from-behind win, jumping up to 6th Place and into a playoff spot after entering the Matchday on the outside looking in.
Here are four thoughts on their thrilling comeback win.
1. Fast start from Angel City
Angel City wasted no time from kick off, opening the scoring in the second minute — its fastest goal of the season.
ACFC forward Riley Tiernan dribbled on the left-wing past Emily Sonnett and sent a cross into the box, which Gotham's Jaelin Howell headed away. The rebound, though, fell to Kennedy Fuller, who hit it on a half-volley off the post and in for her third goal of the season to give the visitors a very early lead.
Kennedy Fuller scores her third goal of the season | Courtesy NWSL
Gotham began to settle into the game and find its footing, but Angel City nearly made it 2-0 in the 21st minute. That's when Sveindís Jónsdóttir pounced on an overhit pass from Sonnett and was one-on-one with Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, but put her shot wide.
Angel City took their 1-0 lead into the break, but Gotham was frustrated not to have tied the game, hitting the woodwork once while only putting two of its eight shots on target.
2. Subs make instant impact
With Gotham trailing 1-0, the home side called on two substitutes — Rose Lavelle and Midge Purce — to start the second half, a move which paid off instantly.
In the 47th minute, Purce made a run to the goal-line and sent a pass into the box, finding Gabi Portilho for the simple tap-in and her second goal of the season, breaking a 10-game league scoring drought.
Gabi Portilho makes it 1-1 | Courtesy NWSL
Not even five minutes later, Lavelle, who came on for playmaker Sarah Schupansky, put Gotham in front with her first goal of the season.
Angel City goalkeeper Hannah Seabert stopped a pass into the box from Bruninha, but she couldn't punch the ball away from the danger zone. Lavelle was there to take advantage of the mistake, completing Gotham's four-minute comeback.
Rose Lavelle scores her first of the season, giving Gotham a 2-1 lead | Courtesy NWSL
The offense continued rolling, as Gotham would add a third goal in the 68th minute. Geyse picked out a wide-open Jaelin Howell, who blasted the ball from the edge of the box off the crossbar and over the line for her third goal of the season and second straight game with a goal.
Jaelin Howell makes it 3-1 with a rocket of a goal | Courtesy NWSL
Gotham closed out the game from there and nearly made it 4-1 in stoppage time, hitting the woodwork twice.
3. Esther González, Riley Tiernan held scoreless
Esther González has been nothing short of exceptional for Gotham this season.
Hudson River Blue Staff
The 32-year-old, who entered the weekend leading the league with 12 goals, was held scoreless on Sunday after scoring a brace in the 4-0 road win against Angel City on April 19.
González created one chance and had two touches in Angel City's box, but the Spanish forward had an off game while other members of Gotham's offense shined.
Angel City's star forward, Riley Tiernan, entered with eight goals this season — the most by any rookie in the NWSL this year. Gotham's backline kept her quiet, limiting the Voorhees, NJ, native and Rutgers University product to one chance created and just 23 touches.
4. Boost for the playoff hopes
Gotham entered Sunday in 9th Place with 24 points, just outside of a playoff spot. Angel City, on the other hand, was right behind Gotham in 10th. This game held importance beyond your standard regular-season NWSL clash.
After the win, Gotham climbed to 6th Place and pulled four points ahead of Angel City. Gotham has seven regular-season games left to solidify their playoff standing, and that starts with a cross-country trip to Snapdragon Stadium to face San Diego Wave on Friday, September 12.
