Monterrey @ Gotham FC
As I had shared where this game is happening and the rain and wind going on now, is where Pele had played. The announcer, just stated that is where he had played. The full story and I wrote it wrong on IG, it is where Pele played his first game for the Cosmos, while Downing Stadium stood and has since been replaced by Icahn Stadium. They just noted that there are 9 different players in their starting lineup than in the game over the weekend, a loss to Houston, also in foul weather. The question, is this thought to be a weaker team or are those players being rested due to weather or other considerations. The field, we were there last week for training was far better than SI Stadium. The TV listing shows the game being played there? I had a number of people reach out to me on this. Gotham presses early and give up a throw and another near midfield, make it a trio as a ball out went out of touch. The weather is described as being an issue as to moving the ball and vision on the field, not so much, you figure out the wind, this as they show the top of a tent billowing in the wind. Monterrey in on goal but it is passed out of the area by Gotham then outside and forward. Now we have Harper into the area, headed over the frame by Stengel. A great ball she was covered a bit but nodded it up, in a space where it should be headed down. Over the top and Gotham knocks it down. A ball in rolls to the GK, Hogan getting the start. Brunhina steps up now to Harper on the wing, a ball in is caught up to by Torres now the Brazilian sends in a shot and it is true 1-0 at 6’. The shot from the top of the area, drops just in, under the bar for her first goal on the year. Garcia is through the area and a trio of black tops, Martin knocks it loose and Gyese with a great shot, another Brazilian. The goal it is stated was not affected by the wind, but it did seem to drop a lot going into the wind. Sonnett puts it out of play in the neutral zone and a throw just below the half. Stengle gets fouled. Geyse unable to control a ball and a deep throw from Monterey. Gotham now with a throw by Martin from 24 yards, now passed around on the right side, a ball across the area to not a soul, one needs to be there it is all but the most basic of soccer things. They now observe that the field is doing well, holding up under the wind, NYCFC II have begun to play there of late and I am sure they laid down a new surface, including ground work. DFK a bit below the center circle sure to be put into the area, this is into the wind, Torres to take, it bounces at about 6 yards and out, goal kick. Commentators now touch on the NWSL being a faster, stronger league than Mexico. Martin called on the foul at the bottom of the circle. Now with the wind it is cleared out and Gotham have a throw just inside the opposition’s half. An unforced error by Monterrey and they pass it out of touch and now way back by Gotham. Looking to get forward, the pass by Torres is taken away and Monterey are getting over half then lost, Martin with another steal. Stengle for Jayce out to Harper she carried, Sonnet to Duran, Torres into the area nodded away a bit. Jayce gets it back to Brunhina and into the area and out. Hasbo with a foul. Back to the GK for Gotham and pressure leads to a long clearance reeled in by the visitors. Harper on the right misses both Geyse and Hasbo it was a hard pass. Jayce form the right side top of the area causes the GK to go full extension but made the save for a corner. Brunhina on the kick before the 6, and off Geyese. Garcia 1 v 1 with Sonnett gets off a shot, probably wide but Hogan had to grab it with ease. Stengle with a pair of balls in and a corner won. Brunhina on the ball, into the 6, punched down by the GK, Harper gets it from the endline and buries it, Sonnett carried across the area with it then cut it back. Great pass and a terrific finish, 2-0 at 24’. A centered ball deflected out for another corner. Brunhina again to take it. Landing just beyond the 6, that ball should not hit the ground on a corner in the area, this was about the same depth in the 6, but further up field. Gotham is pressing and they get it after a few defensive passes by Monterrey, Harper out and then the ball is in and out for a goal kick, Stevens is the intended target. Pressure again and taken away in the neutral zone, taken back. Restrepo over the top but too far. Geyese pressures Sanchez, now to their Gk. Cook with great pressure and Gotham takes it back Harper cannot get it, but presses and winds a deep throw, maybe 10 yards from the endline, a good throw will be like a corner. Monterrey does not come to the ball receives it out of play, Gotham throw not as deep as the last and a player is off the field for Gotham. Sonnett looks forward, gets it back goes across and it is returned now to the GK, up field taken by Monterrey, Garcia loses it to Duran and Gotham wins a throw near the half. Jayce is pulled down from behind, not called. Torres steals from Duran. Monterrey recovers it. Garcia to Restrepo with a shot off the crossbar, the rebound is nodded home by Restrepo. Now 2-1 Gotham. As that play was developing the announcer noted and again now that Gotham has reduced their pressure and Monterrey was playing in the Gotham end, seconds later, goal. Taken at midfield and Monterrey seek Garcia, Brunhina has it, now for Martin, taken away in the center circle. Geyese gets a sliding tackle and then turns a few times on a pair of defenders, does get a shot off but bodied, Harper beats Garcia for a ball in and Geyese whistled for a foul in the area. Stengel with a steal and it is turned back in the area. Torres for Stengel on the wing back to Torres her effort in is blocked for a corner. Duran gets it but cannot turn it goal wards and Gotham get a call between the area and touchline 5 yards on the field. Torres taking it maybe on goal? She goes near post as Sonnett makes a run and the GK has it. Torres from the touchline and about 30 yards far side of the area and Harper with a shot and a whistle. Gotham with a throw in their offensive third. Geyse gets it. Turns on the ball, throw for Gotham. Lost over the endline. Pressure steals the goal kick and the shot over the net by Stengel, a good chance to get a late gal in the 45’. A pair of minutes of added time. Over the top beats Sonnett but Brunhina gets it out of danger. Again over the top, Garcia unable to get to it, deep in the Gotham end they have a throw. Scooped forward, but offside. There is no clock showing the extra time. Martin fouls Soto near the half, Brunhina takes it goes back, over half and it is halftime.
Second half, Gotham have had by far the better of the play, with only a one goal lead to show for it, they must stop squandering their chances, wide shots are not good at this level, and get the shots off not carrying the ball, if they hold you close enough, not good. As mentioned last game they let Houston hang around, then gave up an own goal to take the loss at home last time out. Monterrey must figure out the press, get the goal kicks out of their half and move more off the ball. This is fun, one of the halftime commentators is married to an executive of Gotham, wonder if he will be doing so on the game involving his spouse. No mention of this game was made.
The players are out for the 2nd half and look miserable as the rain is all but sideways now. Esther meets up with a teammate for Spain Garcia. Carter for Sonnett and Esther for Stengel. Esther looks absolutely miserable , for Jess, a typical day in England. Corner Monterrey into the area out a half shot, cleared and they have a throw. The rain is strong now you can hear it over the on field mics. GK way off the line and the announcers are totally silent? A poor pass taken from Gotham in the center circle not getting forward and winning a throw are Monterrey. Esther well into her half now. Geyse on the wing has it taken away. Hasbo has it, loses it Harper gets it then dropped in the area. Torres with a corner, she goes top of the center of the area and a foul of Gotham called on Duran. An unforced error and Gotham with a throw just in their defensive end they go back further Geyese has it go off her and a throw from just inside the Monterrey half, they also go back and gain. Passed to Gotham without pressure. Cook into the area and down, now a goal kick for Monterrey. Monterrey with a long ball in and it goes out of play. Restrepo for Garcia in the area taken by Gotham in their area, Geyese double teams and loses it again to the Gotham area and denied, a long distance shot is wide but covered by Hogan. Pressured out of the back Gotham to Torres off her and out for a throw, Garcia blocked by Brunhina in the area, Harper with an errant pass. Restrepo and a few players miss the DFK in the area. Restrepo with a long ball and many yards ahead of her players. Monterrey to the area and Soto loses her footing, no whistle, Brunhina out for a throw. Gotham holds in their defensive half so many little passes and lost at about 30 yards. Cleared out then right back in from the half, Esther gets one and goes back, trades with Torres now Gabi and loses it near the endline. Torres taken down. Torres in for the kick it goes inside then to the other wing and back by Brunhina to Carter now Hogan for Duran the back line has too much on the ball Torres now for Esther, Gabi out to Harper into the area leads Brunhina and Esther with a piece of skill goes just wide. Harper for Esther and she gets way too far under it and skies it. Esther was alone on the ball best chance of the game and with Monterrey playing better, one that needed to be put away at 70’. Brunhina now Gabi is wide from about 15 yards this less than a minute from the Esther miss. Perez for Soto Martinez is in. Hasbo pushed from behind and a caution coming for Rayadas. Brunhina a bit high to Esther she fights for it in the area and cleared out now Carter to Hogan who is well off her line Cook beats a number of players, a quality shot from just beyond the area. Into the area and out Gotham says it was hit by a defender, corner given. Brunhina goes near the penalty mark. Torres runs it down to Hogan at 76’. Torres to Esther and back now opposite side of the defense and to Hogan again. Hasbo for Esther into the area and now Esther is off. Over the top by Rayadas and they get a throw near mid field. Restrepo sought out but it runs long goal kick. Porthilo into the area lays off to Cook who tops the ball and a poor shot. Brunhina into the area and down, no call. Commentators just stated the home of Gotham is quite a ways from Ichan, yes a whole 24 miles. Hard foul by Restrepo on Duran and she is smiling at the fouled player. Freeman awaits entering for Harper and Restrepo out for Rayandas for Veloz. Gotham offside, it was not even close. Esther, the target but delayed by two defenders and the GK has it at 88’. Hasbro at midfield pulls back finds Gabi who spins on the ball to Brunhina near the penalty area and again Gotham is off frame. She leaned back and swung her leg across her body. Whitman in at 90’ for Cook there are 4’ of added time to play. Whitman with a great ball to Brunhina and now she slides to try and keep the ball alive, the fun of a soaked field. Rayadas holding just beyond the area, they go back, and again. Torres clears to the GK, they get it back forward with a long ball headed away now Hasbo to Gabi and further back to the defense, now Esther sought out, lost. Monterrey endline, sends it in partially cleared, Carter clears to Esther she drops back and again a long ball up out for a Rayadas throw, time is up.