Gotham Equal to Courage

Lynn Williams Goal Earns Gotham FC 1-1 Draw in UKG NWSL Challenge Cup

CARY, NC (May 3, 2023) – Gotham FC battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage in UKG Challenge Cup action on Wednesday night after rebounding from an early first half goal to equalize late in the second half on a 74th-minute Lynn Williams goal at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

Lynn Williams, named earlier today to the NWSL Best XI of the Month, presented by Mastercard, kicked off May in spectacular fashion. The U.S. Women’s National Team forward came off the bench at the start of the second half and scored the match-tying goal for Gotham FC in the 74th minute by converting a half-volley off a perfect cross from Jenna Nighswonger. For Williams, the goal was her fifth this season in seven games across all competitions.

“We were more aggressive along the front foot. We were not going to settle for a loss,” Williams said about her club’s determination in the second half. “Our focus is on concentrating and on executing the game plan. We’ve had a lot of games in a short time and a lot of travel. The more we can make the ball do the work, the fresher we can be.”

The goal from Nighswonger-to-Williams was the culmination of a sustained offensive attack by Gotham FC from the opening of the second half. Another key factor in the game was a pair of brilliant saves by Gotham FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos in the first half.

“It was a tale of two halves,” said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “We showed a lot of character. We were under some pressure, so we made some changes at halftime to show that we wanted to come here to win, to be aggressive and offensive from start to finish. The second half was much better. We had chance after chance, and then got the goal from Lynn. If the game went on for a few more minutes, I think we’d have the chance to get the win. But it was a good point.”

Mille Geji opened the scoring for the Courage three minutes into the game off a cross from Olivia Wingate. However, it was Gotham FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos, in her 2023 debut, who came up big.

In the 19th minute, Betos made an acrobatic save to her right on a penalty by Geji to keep the score at 1-0. A penalty kick was awarded to North Carolina after a VAR check in the 8th minute, and Betos proved clutch, making the first penalty save for Gotham FC in all competitions since 2018.

“I felt, if I can keep this PK out, we’re going to get back into this game,” said Betos.

Betos also made a spectacular save on Wingate to the 37th minute, diving to her left to deflect the shot wide of the net.

“The thing with this team, that we’ve proven day in and day out, is that we are always going to fight and we are always going to come back,” said Betos. “As a goalkeeper, it’s such a good feeling to know that if you just keep the team in the game, because we have the threats, we have the work ethic, and we’re going to find a way to get a point or win. I’m just so proud to be part of this team.”

Said Amorós, “Those saves by Michelle in the first half were crucial.”

Gotham FC is now 1-0-1 in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. UKG has doubled the prize pool for this year’s tournament, bringing the first-ever million-dollar prize pool to U.S. professional women’s soccer.

Michelle Betos was named the Gotham FC Player of the Match presented by CarMax.

Gotham FC Lineup

Goalkeeper: Michelle Betos

Defenders: Mandy Freeman, Ellie Jean (Ali Krieger – 46’), Kelley O’Hara

Midfielders: Sinead Farrelly (Taylor Smith – 77’), Nealy Martin, Jenna Nighswonger, McCall Zerboni (Kristie Mewis – 46’)

Forwards: Svava Guðmundsdóttir (Lynn Williams – 46’), Ifeoma Onumonu (Yazmeen Ryan – 64’), Delanie Sheehan

Next Up

Gotham FC completes its three-match road swing with a regular season game in Chicago against the Red Stars on Sunday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Gotham FC returns home for a special AANHPI and Mother’s Day matchup against the Orlando Pride at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m.