By Anonymous (not verified), April 26, 2025
From Gotham FC
Recap: Gotham FC Caps Road Swing With Victory Over Washington Spirit
Esther González became the first player in Gotham FC to record three two-goal games and Sarah Schupansky scored her first career goal in leading the visitors past the Washington Spirit, 3-0, on Saturday.
It was an emphatic victory for Gotham FC, which bounced back from a frustrating Tuesday defeat at Portland to frustrate the 16,443 at Audi Field. And for the second time in three games, Gotham achieved a new milestone, scoring three first-half goals away from home for the first time in club history.
“This was one of the proudest moments for us as a team and as a club,” said Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “...The players were outstanding. The first half was fantastic, and then the second half, we knew the legs were going to be tired, that we were going to have to get together to battle for each other. I couldn't be prouder of the players. I think they've been outstanding the whole week.”
The three points moved Gotham FC (3-2-2, 11 points) within a point of Washington, which currently holds third place in the NWSL standings. Gotham is 6-1-4 over the last 11 road matches across all competitions and is unbeaten in its last 38 competitive NWSL matches when scoring first.
Washington (4-2-0, 12 points) created a number of chances in the second half in its attempts at a rally, but Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made multiple spectacular saves to keep her third clean sheet of the young season.
Schupansky’s third minute goal was the fastest goal of the NWSL campaign and the first rookie-to-rookie connection on a goal since 2019. Fellow rookie Lilly Reale delivered the perfectly weighted pass to Schupansky, who finished with a one-touch right-footed effort.
Then it became the González Show. The Spanish striker pounced on a deflection from Geyse’s pressing effort on Washington defender Esme Morgan, cutting back and drawing a penalty when defender Rebeca Bernal fouled her in the box. González converted her penalty low and to the right.
Seven minutes later, González flicked on a header from Schupansky’s driven corner to net a third.
That score moved González into sole possession of second place on Gotham FC’s all-time scoring list, with 17 goals. It also tied the record for the most goals in a four-match span in league history.
“It's a bit about the team, how we're playing, how we're understanding where the spaces are, what the spaces are, how we work,” González told CBS. “We try to correct things every game, know where the team leaves spaces and try to take advantage of them. I always try to find those spaces, try to create chances and, above all, help the team get the three points.”
After a 10-day road trip that included Los Angeles, Portland and Washington, Gotham FC now returns home to prepare for a May 4 matchup in the friendly confines of Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Key Match Points
This was the 41st meeting across all competitions between Gotham and Washington.
Only POR-SEA have played more frequently in league history (42 times).
Gotham FC has kept a clean sheet in three of their seven matches; only the Kansas City Current have done this more often in the league this season (4).
Gotham is now 20-0-4 when scoring first in NWSL regular season play since the start of 2024.
Gotham is now 3-0-1 when scoring the opening goal in the NWSL this season.
These are the first goals Washington has conceded before halftime this year and its first first-half goals allowed in its last 11 regular-season matches.
Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros is now 33-1-7 in all NWSL competitions when scoring first, and 21-1-3 when leading at the half.
Gotham’s four goals in the final 15 minutes of first halves are the most by any team in the NWSL this season.
The club has scored seven first-half goals through seven games in 2025.
Only the Kansas City Current (9) has scored more in the first half this season in the NWSL.
Gotham has scored in its last three NWSL away games, and in their last four games overall.
This is its longest run of games with a goal since a run of 11 games from Sept. 8, 2024 to March 16, 2025
Gotham FC is now 14-17-10 against the Washington Spirit, and 6-8-7 when on the road.
This is Gotham’s second win away against the Spirit in their last 11 matchups in the regular season and playoffs.
This is the first time Gotham has beaten Washington by more than two goals.
Gotham scored three goals in the first half against the Spirit, marking just the second time Washington has allowed three goals at home. The first was July 2, 2014, against the Boston Breakers.
This is the first time in club history that Gotham has scored three goals in the first half of a regular-season road match.
It is the second time in club history overall, with the first occurring on June 1, 2013, against Boston.
Esther González scored her 17th and 18th regular-season career goals, breaking a tie with Carli Lloyd and Midge Purce for the second most in club history.
Her seven goals in a four-appearance span are tied for the most in league history.
She tied Sam Kerr and Monica Ocampo for the second-longest consecutive streak in club history with four; the club record is five (Kerr).
She has now recorded five goals in four games across all NWSL competitions against Washington, including her playoff goal from 2024.
She becomes the third player since 2013 to score seven or more goals in the first seven games of a season, joining Alex Morgan (2022, San Diego) and Sophia Smith (2024, Portland).
González earned her third brace of the season, her third in four games.
It was her sixth career regular-season brace.
That ties her for eighth in league history, with only active NWSL players Sophia Smith (eight), Lynn Williams (eight) and Christen Press (seven) having more.
She is the first Gotham player to record three braces in a single season, tying Sam Kerr (two hat tricks and one brace in 2017) for the club record for multi-goal games in a season.
She is the fifth player to do so in NWSL history overall.
González’s goal from the penalty spot is her first goal via a penalty kick this season.
Sarah Schupansky scored her first professional goal.
The goal is the fastest in the NWSL this season at 2:44.
It is also the third-fastest goal scored in this rivalry; all three have been scored by Gotham.
Schupansky also earned her second assist of the season; she is the third rookie with a goal and an assist in the same NWSL game in 2025.
Schupansk leads Gotham in assists through the first seven games.
Midge Purce played her 50th regular-season game for Gotham FC with her latest appearance against the Spirit.
She became the 18th player in club history to play 50 regular-season games.
Lilly Reale recorded her first professional assist.
Schupansky’s goal, assisted by Reale, is the first rookie-to-rookie goal for Gotham FC since Paige Monahan scored off a Julie James Doyle assist on Aug. 14, 2019.
Reale also recorded 12 tackles, tying the league record for most by an individual player since 2016, joining Nikki Stanton (2017, Gotham) and Bri Visalli (2021, Houston)
Geyse made her first NWSL start in Saturday’s match.
The Brazilian made three appearances and played 74 minutes as a sub before Saturday’s matchup.
Ann-Katrin Berger’s stop on Rebecca Bernal in the 89th minute was the 1,000th regular-season save in club history
Gotham is the first club in NWSL history to reach 1000 saves in the regular season.
Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit
Saturday, April 26, 2025
1 p.m. ET kickoff
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Attendance: 16,443
Weather: 73 degrees, raining with partly cloudy skies throughout the afternoon
Gotham FC (3, 0 – 3)
Washington Spirit (0, 0 – 0)
Scoring Summary:
Gotham FC
3’- Sarah Schupansky (Lilly Reale)
32’ – Esther González (P)
39’ – Esther González (Sarah Schupansky)
Gotham FC (4-3-3): 30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK); 3 – Bruninha, 27 – Jess Carter, 6 – Emily Sonnett, 4 – Lilly Reale; 14 – Nealy Martin (C), 11 – Sarah Schupansky (70’ – Taryn Torres), 7 – Jaelin Howell; 10 – Geyse (46’ 13 – Ella Stevens), 9 - Esther González (84’ 34 – Khyah Harper), 18 - Gabi Portilho (62’ 23 – Midge Purce)
Unused substitutes: 33 – Michelle Betos (GK); 17 – Mak Whitham, 20 – Jéssica Silva, 24 – Emerson Elgin, 90 – Stella Nyamekye
Head coach: Juan Carlos Amorós
Washington Spirit (5-3-2): 1 – Aubrey Kingsbury; 8 – Makenna Morris, 9 – Tara McKeown, 4 – Rebeca Bernal, 24 – Esme Morgan, 14 – Gabby Carle; 22 – Heather Stainbrook (46’ 33 – Ashley Hatch), 10 – Leicy Santos, 5 – Narumi Miura (80’ 39 – Chloe Ricketts); 21 – Gift Monday (80’ 7 – Croix Bethune), 16 – Courtney Brown (46’ 19 – Rosemonde Kouassi)
Unused substitutes: 28 – Sandy MacIver (GK); 19 – Rosemonde Kouassi, 25 – Kysha Sylla, 34 – Kiley Dulaney, 35 – Meg Boade
Head coach: Jonatan Giráldez
Stats Summary
GFC / WAS
Expected Goals: 1.55 / 2.21
Shots: 11 / 13
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 6
Fouls: 21 / 15
Offside: 2 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
Gotham FC
11’ – Nealy Martin (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul)
45+6’ – Lilly Reale (Yellow Card - Time Wasting)
85’ - Jaelin Howell (Yellow Card - Reckless Offence)
Washington Spirit
51’ - Narumi Miura (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul)
90+3’ - Jonatan Giráldez (Red Card - Abusive Language)
Officials
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Zachary McWhorter
4th Official: Nick Karnovsky
VAR: Kevin Broadley
AVAR: Maggie Short
Key Quotes
HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS AMORÓS
On the win against the Spirit after last season’s disappointing loss in the NWSL semifinals
I think in football, when you have a tough experience, you want to bounce back. Being able to come here, when you look at it in the schedule, it looked very difficult on paper, but every player was really committed to make sure that they were going to give the 200% for the team and be able to help. They understand. It's not only the game that we couldn't win last year, and unfortunately, we lost, but it's also the rivalry between Gotham and Washington. This group of players and this team are winners. They want to win whether it is this team, [Club] America, a friendly, or whatever game. That's who we are as Gotham. We want to win against any opposition. Today, it was special because it was Washington, but I think it was more special because of coming back from that game that we lost, and being at the end of this week. The players have now a few days off to recover. It was really important to come up with three points.
FORWARD ESTHER GONZÁLEZ (VIA CBS)
On her run of scoring
It's a bit about the team, how we're playing, how we're understanding where the spaces are, what the spaces are, how we work. We try to correct things every game, know where the team leaves spaces and try to take advantage of them. I always try to find those spaces, try to create chances and, above all, help the team get the three points.
DEFENDER LILLY REALE
On the team continuing to grow together
Our team is just building every game that we can and getting close, especially off the field, on this long stretch of away games that we've had. It makes it easy to gain that on-field chemistry when you're just having a lot of fun off the field. Similar to what Sarah said, today going into this game, we knew we wanted to have an appropriate response, and end this stint of away games on a good note. [We wanted to] really show everyone who Gotham is. We knew we could bring more than what we showed last game, so I was just really proud of the response that we had.
FORWARD SARAH SCHUPANSKY
On scoring her first professional goal
It feels really great. It was a really good team performance overall. Obviously, it was my first goal, but it was not too tough to score because Lilly [Reale] played such a great ball across and it was a great team buildup. I know the coaches are really proud of that just because it's something we've been working on and something we wanted to implement today. But it feels great. I'm having so much fun with this team, and I know this was a big win for us, especially after our most recent game. It was really good to come back and have a good response.
ABOUT GOTHAM FC
Representing New Jersey and New York with top global players, Gotham FC is one of 14 teams in the National Women’s Soccer League. In 2023, Gotham FC won the NWSL Championship, clinching the club’s first NWSL title, after previously advancing to its first NWSL final appearance in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Final. Rebranded as Gotham FC in 2021, the club plays its home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. Founded in 2007, the club won the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer Championship in 2009 and has been a founding member of the NWSL since the league’s establishment in 2013.
Gotham FC Post-Match Press Conference Transcripts
Gotham FC 3, Washington Spirit 0
Audi Field
When:
April 26, 2025
Who:
Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós
Defender Lilly Reale
Midfielder Sarah Schupansky
Forward Esther González (via CBS)
HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS AMOROS
Overall takeaways from the win against Washington
“I think for me, this was one of the proudest moments for us as a team and as a club. I think the
coming here in such a difficult week away from home, obviously, we had a great result against
LA, but it was, you know, coming here with almost no rest after the Portland game. We needed
to really step on the pitch, be ourselves, be focused. Show everyone who we are. The players
were outstanding. Obviously, the first half was fantastic, and then the second half, we knew the
legs were going to be tired, that we were going to have to grab together, to get together to battle
for each other. I couldn't be prouder of the players. I think they've been outstanding the whole
week. And also, I would like to also highlight the work of all the staff, obviously the coaching
team, logistics, medical, media, operations, high performance. Everyone has worked really,
really hard this week to make sure that we could get those three points. And the players have
been really, really outstanding.
On playing a really high line throughout the match
I think the second half we didn't change really nothing. But obviously, I think we had a very good
chance for Esther [Gonzalez] to score the third one. Naturally, these games - with the longer it
goes - the more forwards they throw on, the fans, you know, it's a very difficult environment to
come and play - they put us a little bit there, you know, in our half. But then we also work on that
low and how we need to work when we are in those situations, working everyone together and, I
think the players were outstanding. We tried to bring in the first legs to help the team that in
midfield with Taryn and with Ella, with Midge and Khyah and everyone was really committed to
make sure that we normally get the three points, but also the clean sheet. I’m very, very, very,
very proud of the of the performance of everyone to make sure that could happen.
On getting the win against the Spirit in a rematch of the team’s NWSL semifinal loss in
Washington
I think in football, obviously, when you have a tough experience, you want to bounce back. I
think for us, being able to come here, when you look at it in the schedule, it looked very difficult
on paper, but every player was really committed to make sure that they were going to give the
200% for the team and be able to help to get that. They understand. I think it's not only the
game that we couldn't win last year, and obviously, unfortunately, we lost. But it's also the rivalry,
a little bit between New York and Washington. But I think for this group of players, and this team
is that they are winners. They want to win whatever it is this team, America, friendly, whatever
game. And that's who we are as Gotham. We want to win against any opposition. I think for us
today it was special because it was Washington, but I think it was more special because of
coming back from that game that we lost and being at the end of this week, the players have
now a few days off to recover. I think it was really important to come up with three points.
On the importance of prioritizing rest in a three-game road trip
It's very important. Players can play. The thing is, sometimes the level of performance they are
going to give and also the health and safety on their side. It's not only that we play three away
games. It's also that we have to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast and travel within
the west coast and back to the east coast. So it's been a lot on the bodies and on the minds,
and that's where really a team needs to show what they are made of. And I think the players
today saw that they are winners that they're going to do whatever it takes to win. They stick to
the game plan. They trust on themselves. We really give them a lot of trust because of their
quality on the ball and committed on the ball. Key moments were obviously Esther turned up
again. Especially happy as well for Sarah Schupansky and her first professional goal, I think that
was executing the game plan to perfection. That connection between Lily and Sarah to rookies,
I think it's it was very important.
On whether formation changes were in response to Portland or for resting purposes
I think it was a little bit of everything. We wanted to, obviously, find the best ways that that we
could, even if we don't have as I've mentioned before, a lot of players at the moment, or almost
senior players, ready to compete with, with how we are. I think we wanted to have a very good
exit of the ball on both sides. I think Bru does give us that. She was a player that came off early
the other day, so she was a bit more fresh to work on transitions. I think Nealy is a fantastic
player in midfield, to [be there] when things get broken, to make sure that she's there to fix
them. And, she was obviously ready to captain the team and be there. Taryn has played for the
first time starting two games in a row, so she was probably someone that we needed to get
some fresh legs off the bench. And we finally got Geyse to 45 minutes. So we thought that that
will give us a little bit of a different energy there. And, luckily it worked. They will have, obviously,
a lot of things that probably people don't see. like Sarah Schupansky. She got a very big hit after
the game on Tuesday night, and we were very worried at the start, but the medical team and
high performance did a very good job with her to recover her. The things that they did, it worked,
because look at her, how she played tonight.
There have been warriors out there that have completed every minute of every game - Jess
Carter, Emily and Jalen. Everyone has given absolutely everything they had. I was very happy
as well for Ann, because we always take a lot of pride from as a team for the clean sheets. But,
I don't think she's ever considered focus with us and to bounce back with not only the clean
ship, I think she pulled out two or three unbelievable saves and a great game on the ball. I'm
super happy and proud of them, to be honest.
On Ann-Katrin Berger’s performance, including the moment in the first half when she was hit
underneath the eye
I think she’s alright. She was really tired after these games. Ann is such a special player, such a
special person. We are so, so happy to have her here with us. She always gives absolutely
everything she has, and she has a very special aura around her that makes everyone work
even harder to make sure that she doesn't have to do the work that she needs to do. For us,
having her in goal is a privilege; it’s an honor, and I think she's very special. You guys are
starting to know her as well of the pitch…and I think even, if its with one eye, she will still try to
play. I think she's fine.
On the key contributing factors to Esther Gonzalez’s impressive offensive performances of late
She's a very different player. I think I've mentioned in another press conference that probably, in
terms of certain aspects of the game, is one of the best in the world not only on this league.
Probably gets maybe a bit less, less highlights or less appreciation, because maybe she's not
as quick as other players, or she doesn't do certain things. But I think for people that really know
the game, how Esther plays the game is probably the best. You know, I think she works
incredibly hard off the ball, very intelligent. She's super good technically, holding up the play,
reading the play, she's able to appear in the key moments. And then on top of that, she's a
fantastic finisher. She's very comfortable. I think with this group of players, she’s a lot more
integrated, because now she speaks a little bit more English and and a lot more Spanish
speakers, Portuguese speakers, but all the credit goes to her. She's the ultimate pro, doing
everything she can to help the team. You give her two, three chances, she's gonna score two of
them. So I think she's been obviously amazing. I think she scored five goals this week. Am I
right? Seven in the league. She's been brilliant, and it's a pleasure, really, to work with her.
On what the team has learned about itself over the last three games on the road
We have a group of people that is really a team with capital letters, and back each other and be
there for each other and put the team first to be able to achieve our our common target. That is
to win and be able to do that while we play a fun style of football. The people are able to grow
not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch and enjoy the experience of doing this privilege of a
job that we are doing. I couldn't be happier for the end of this week for sure.
DEFENDER LILLY REALE
On the team continuing to grow together
Our team is just building every game that we can and getting close, especially off the field, on
this long stretch of away games that we've had. It makes it easy to gain that on-field chemistry
when you're just having a lot of fun off the field. Similar to what Sarah said, today going into this
game, we knew we wanted to have an appropriate response, and end this stint of away games
on a good note. [We wanted to] really show everyone who Gotham is. We knew we could bring
more than what we showed last game, so I was just really proud of the response that we had.
On what she saw on the opening goal for Gotham FC
[It was] definitely an early one. We were able to watch it back at halftime, so I do have a better
memory of it now. In the moment, Gabi [Portilho] did a really good job to draw the defender in,
so it just made it easier to get on the outside of her. Then, as I looked up, usually they tell us,
miss the first post or the first offender. I knew someone was going to run across and then saw
the space open there. It felt like it was a tunnel of space to just hit Sarah [Schupansky]. I trusted
that she was going to get there, and obviously she did.
On the adjustments made between Portland and tonight’s match
We wanted to come into this game with a bit more of an aggressive approach and try and figure
out ways to win first and second balls and make hard tackles. [We wanted to] adjust in ways that
would put us on the gas pedal a little bit more when we have the ball. I think especially against
Portland [Thorns], there was maybe one too many turnovers, one too many missed clearances,
stuff like that that make the difference at the end of the day. Especially for us rookies, we're
learning every game and seeing the little things that make the difference every game. It was just
so important to come into this one without dwelling on the last game, but instead just adjusting
the things we needed to, and coming in with a little bit more fire under us.
On if the match felt like a rivalry match
We treat every game with the same mindset that we're going to go out there, show who we are
as a team, not shift it too much to get in our head or make it a little bit bigger than it should be,
but just go out there with the same mindset, with the same approach and maybe this game
adding a little bit more fire just based off the last response. Friendly rivalry, I would say more so.
It's just about respecting the opponent. We're going to play every game going out and
implementing the things we can to come out on top, hopefully.
On the strong defensive showing tonight
[We] implemented ways that we could be a little bit more aggressive and try and put ourselves
in the more dominant position on the ball just to delay them from getting the ball and being able
to go down our throats because we're a little bit more structured this game than we were with
Portland. In our film watching that game, we didn't play poorly, but there’s a number of
breakdowns that are going to then lead to a good chance or a good goal. Unfortunately that
happened several times. Coming into this game, we just wanted to be a little bit more switched
on [and] compact as a back line. We knew that they were going to try and play a little bit more
direct maybe, and at times they definitely did. We just wanted to stay ready for those balls in
behind and also be as covered and structured as we could this game.
On the three-match road stand
With the college schedule, especially changing to the Big Ten [Conference] this [past] year, I felt
that we have had that challenge of having maybe a Thursday, Sunday and then a Friday game.
The biggest difference is the load. Every game, especially for my first two or three games, I was
coming out of them saying, ‘that's the hardest game I've ever played in my life.’ We're starting to
get used to the load now, and that's credit to our training staff and strength staff for getting us to
a place that we need to be. With these performances, we're keeping the ball a little bit more.
We're getting forward as a team. In this stint of games, our goal was to just do the work for each
other, keep the ball as much as we could and finish our chances as early and as often as we
could so that we can give ourselves a little bit more of a safety blanket. But in that same way or
in that same sense, it was really just about getting through this week as a team and enjoying it
as much as we could on and off the field. [We are] just working for each other there.
On scoring during a birthday celebration
I actually did notice the song, but I didn’t realize that we had scored right as it was finishing.
That’s really funny.
FORWARD SARAH SCHUPANSKY
On scoring her first professional goal
It feels really great. It was a really good team performance overall. Obviously, it was my first
goal, but it was not too tough to score because Lilly [Reale] played such a great ball across and
it was a great team buildup. I know the coaches are really proud of that just because it's
something we've been working on and something we wanted to implement today. But it feels
great. I'm having so much fun with this team, and I know this was a big win for us, especially
after our most recent game. It was really good to come back and have a good response.
On the adjustments made between Portland and tonight’s match
After that result [in Portland], everybody knew that wasn't who we were, and we were capable of
so much more. The coaching staff really didn't dwell on that performance too much. Obviously,
there were some specific things that we had to change for this game and had to clean up, but
for the most part, we all knew that it was a fluke. It felt like that after as well. We were pretty
appreciative of the fact that we had a game so quickly after that one. Physically, it's a tough
turnaround, but mentally, it was really great to have another chance to prove ourselves and
improve what we know we're capable of. It's a big credit to the staff and also the more
experienced players on this team. They really instilled a lot of confidence and belief into us after
that performance. In. Instead of a more defeating approach, which I think really helped at least
us rookies, I felt like we could come into this next game full throttle and really finish this stint of
away games on a high note.
On what she saw on the opening goal for Gotham FC
Anytime Lilly [Reale] is on the flank, I know it's going to be a great ball in. The timing of my run
and the timing of the arrival, that's all I have to do. It was clearly a really great ball, and there's
support all around me. I think Esther [González] made a great run across the front, which
opened up a ton of space for Lilly to play through, so I was just glad I could finish it off for us.
On the rivalry between Gotham and the Spirit
I do remember watching the Washington vs Gotham semifinal last year and just how intense
that game was for both teams. Gotham didn't come out on top of that one, and it was obvious
how impacted the players were after that result. In order to do everything I can for them, I
definitely thought of this game as a little bit more of a special one just because I wanted to help
them redeem themselves after that semifinal. Even though it was a great performance by both
teams, obviously it hurt to not get the result and move on to the final. I'm really glad that we
were able to kind of turn the page and get a result back at the same exact field that they
unfortunately didn't get the result last season. That felt really nice and I hope that we did our
part and they're happy with what we did to help them turn things around here at Audi Field.
It's certainly in our minds [as] just another game that we want to come out and prove ourselves
in and do what is asked of us. In this league, you can have any result in any game. Every game
is going to be hard, so you got to go in with the same mindset, which is that the team you're
going to play is good and you have to come out and you have to perform at your best.
On the performance of the team compared to Portland
The backline had an incredible performance today, but even in Portland, it isn’t just down to
them. As a whole team, all 11 of us out there needed to be better defensively, staying more
compact in our press, knowing when we're in our press and when we're kind of in our block. A
lot more communication was done today to help organize that. We were a lot more on the same
page compared to Tuesday, which helped a ton. I'm so proud of the backline today. They kept a
clean sheet when Washington had a lot of chances to change that reality. Ann-Katrin Berger,
she is incredible. I know she put on a great performance and hopefully made the Gotham fans
back home proud.
On the three-match road stand
Physically, it's certainly tough, especially to have a midweek game in between two weekend
games. We have it a little bit easier than some of the older girls, just because, we had those
Thursday [and] Sunday games, and sometimes in tournament play, you'd play Friday [and]
Sunday. We definitely are a little bit more acclimated to such a quick turnaround, but it doesn't
mean it's easy.
It's certainly tough physically but sometimes mentally, you just have to suck it up and play for
each other, and I think the coaching staff did a really good job of really saying, ‘You have one
more game in this stint of away games. Play your absolute hardest so we can end on a good
note and go into our next home game on a high note and in a strong way.’
It's a lot of credit to the staff and even the staff that you don't see directly on the sideline just
within the organization working as hard as they can to make the travel and our lives as easy as
they can be in a trip like this. They really care about our well-being and how we're treated off the
field, so we both really appreciate that as rookies, and they keep things super organized, which
makes it a lot easier to do our job on the field.
On scoring during a birthday celebration
I remember them starting and thinking, that’s nice. It was unfortunate timing for sure.
FORWARD ESTHER GONZÁLEZ VIA CBS
On what’s working so well for González
It's a bit about the team, how we're playing, how we're understanding where the spaces are,
what the spaces are, how we work. We try to correct things every game, know where the team
leaves spaces and try to take advantage of them. I always try to find those spaces, try to create
chances and, above all, help the team get the three points.
On what changed between the Portland loss and Washington win
It's been a really tough eight days. We obviously lost against Portland, but we made the
corrections that we needed to make and we just showed how strong mentally we are to get to
where we are. And we're a really humble team, and we know when we make those mistakes,
we're also going to correct them.
On snapping a three-game skid vs. Washington
During film and stuff, they were putting images of that game video, so that obviously helped.
And we just wanted to come in here and get that win. And it was obviously really important.
Gotham FC Prematch Media Availability
April 25, 2025
Up next:
Gotham FC at Washington Spirit
1 p.m. Saturday, April 26
Who:
Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós
Gotham FC forward Ella Stevens
GOTHAM FC COACH JUAN CARLOS AMORÓS
On the Washington matchup
Well, a game that we're really looking forward to. The last game, it wasn't what we wanted,
especially the second half performance, so sometimes when those things happen, it's better to
get another game in as soon as possible. It's been a very difficult week with traveling, away
games, difficult environments, but the team responded really well for the majority of it, as I said,
apart from the second half the other day. So, yeah, looking forward, Washington is a great place
to play. Fantastic environment, really good players, very good coaches. So yeah, we're really
looking forward to the game.
On pinpointing the differences between the win in LA and loss in Portland
Yeah, this game is a game of details. The game in LA, we did an amazing work, and we took
care of the little details, and in the game in Portland, the first half was really, really good. Apart
from the first six, seven minutes, we dominated, we controlled the game. Unfortunately there
was an action there on a corner where probably a player from Portland should have been sent
off and get a penalty and then the game would have been completely different. But those are
things that we can't control. And in the second half, they were better than us, and they won the
game. So sometimes it’s nice for us, focusing on the processes. That's what we do, because
whenever we focus on the process of how we play, in every action of the game, then the
outcome is normally what we want.
The players have been fantastic. They've been pushing super hard. We still have a few players
that are not available or in restricted minutes and in these kinds of weeks, people are really
pushing to the limit but they've been fantastic. The environment is good and a lot of credit needs
to go to the players because honestly it's a tough stretch, three away games in a week. But the
group is reacting really, really well and are looking forward to this game tomorrow.
On the defensive corps and managing minutes with three matches in eight days
Traditionally we're a team that defends really well. Taking away the second half the other day,
our numbers were probably the best in the league in terms of the quality chances we were
conceding, and the amount of shots that we were facing. The second half the other day
changed that dramatically because we weren't good in that situation. But when we defend we
don't really talk only about the defense, we talk about the team. That's very, very important. We
take a lot of pride in our defending as a group, and so far the work through five or six games
that we've played already, it's been really, really positive. I will take that. [Five] and a half
(games) have been outstanding in the defending, and half of it we are not as good and we got
punished. I will take that throughout the season.
It's not a secret. We've had to put Nealy [Martin] to be there. We lost Tierna [Davidson], then we
lost Mandy [Freeman]. And even if there are a lot of forwards on the bench, there are a lot of
them that are on unrestricted minutes, which is when you end up with Bruninha doing a lot of
minutes on that forward line. Sometimes it's about moving pieces and trying to maximize the
minutes and the efforts from everyone because we always prioritize health and safety. But the
team is reacting really well and coming with all those situations, being able to, for example, to
put that performance that we put in LA, where we got the biggest win away from home in the
club history, and Angel City had zero shots on target throughout the game when they were one
of the unbeaten teams in the league and playing at home – sometimes you need to look at the
glass half full or half empty. We always try to look at it half full.
On the experience playing at Washington
Washington Spirit have some players out or they've had [some out in] the last few weeks. They
still are one of the most organized teams in the league. A lot of credit [goes] to the players, but
then Jonatan [Giráldez] and the people that are working behind the scenes, because they've
been really good and they're especially strong at home. We know that they got [a] fantastic
atmosphere. For us, it's a derby of the East Coast and it's always a special game to play [in]
Washington.
We love to play in the best environments. Washington is at the moment, the experiences we've
had here, they've been amazing games and the kind of games that we're really looking forward
to play now with 15,000-20,000 plus people in the stands, where is where we want the women's
game or women's soccer in America to keep driving. All the clubs really are happy when we see
other stadiums full. We are doing a fantastic job also at Gotham where our attendances are
growing exponentially season after season. It's going to be a really enjoyable day. The weather
should be nice, which is something that we've been missing. I hope it's a great game for the
fans, [and] in this case, that Gotham gets the three points.
GOTHAM FC FORWARD ELLA STEVENS
Thoughts on facing the Washington Spirit in a rematch of the 2024 NWSL semifinal
[I’ve] been thinking about that game for a while, so just excited to refresh and hopefully have a
good result. I know the team's ready, and we're excited to play.
On her impressive goal-scoring record with Gotham FC
I've played more minutes for Gotham, so I've just had more opportunities to score, and the
confidence has come with that. My teammates, they've lifted me up. I came in with not too
much, and I feel like they've helped me just build every game. And again, you don't score
without a good ball, so [I] have great teammates.
On how training and preparations have been with the quick turnaround
Training has been good. They've been light because we're traveling a lot. [We’re] just trying to
capitalize on what we need to do to get these three points. The attack's ready. We're ready.
On how Geyse has adapted to the team
Geyse has been great. I feel like she brings something different to the team. She's dominant.
She's good on the ball. She's got a great finish. [She’s] dangerous around the box, and it’s good
to have her on the team.
On how she is feeling after returning from injury
It feels so good to be back with the team. It was tough to be home and watch that game, but
they [Gotham FC] did so well against [Angel City FC], and I went to bed smiling because it was
just so much fun to watch. [I’m] happy to be back, and I feel 100% ready to go.
On how the team is preparing for the Washington Spirit
Every year is different, every team is different. The preparation is going to be different, but it
doesn't really change what we do. We know how we want to defend. We're defending spaces
and players. [We’re] just reading the game. Coaches give us good ideas for how to handle
certain situations.
On what she has seen from the team heading into this match
[I’m] excited to play. This field, this stadium, it's incredible. I feel like they always bring everyone
to the stadium, and it's a great field to play on and a great team to play against. [We’re] just
excited, and hopefully we can get that win.
Photos courtesy Getty Images on the Facebook Page of Soccer Long Island Magazine 2.
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