MATCH PREVIEW: Gotham FC to Host UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Opener on April 19
GOTHAM FC TO FACE WASHINGTON SPIRIT ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 (7:30 P.M. ET, PARAMOUNT+)
HARRISON, N.J. (April 18, 2023) – Gotham FC is set to face off against the Washington Spirit at home at Red Bull Arena on April 19 (7:30 p.m. ET, Paramount+) to kick off the club’s highly-anticipated first match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.
In 2022, Gotham FC finished third place in the East grouping of the competition after earning a total of six points with a 1-3-2 (W-D-L) record. This year, the club has its sights set on a Challenge Cup championship after coming close to winning it all in the two prior years of the tournament.
During the 2021 tournament, Gotham FC advanced to the championship match, but ultimately lost in a penalty shootout to the Portland Thorns (6-5).
In 2020, the Challenge Cup launched as the first professional team sporting event to return to play in United States after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that year, the squad made it out of group play and advanced to semifinals before falling to the Chicago Red Stars.
To kick off the 2023 Challenge Cup, Gotham FC will take on Washington Spirit who they have a 10-8-14 record against. Gotham FC is looking to pick up their first win against the club since June 2022 (L, 1-0).
Following the match on Wednesday night, Gotham FC will host a media availability via Zoom.
GOTHAM FC STORYLINES
Gotham FC closed the 2022 Challenge Cup with a 1-3-2 (six points) record to finish third in the East grouping.
Midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi tallied a goal against Washington Spirit in 2022, making her the fifth player to record two career goals in the Challenge Cup. Kawasumi joined forwards Midge Purce, Paige Monaghan, Carli Lloyd and Évelyne Viens in the record book, who are all past or present players with Gotham FC.
Gotham FC advanced out of group play in each of the first two Challenge Cup tournaments, appearing in the semifinals in 2020 before falling in penalties to the Portland Thorns in 2021, making Gotham FC the tournament's runner-up.
Gotham FC topped the North Carolina Courage, 4-3, in the 2021 Challenge Cup. North Carolina was the only team to score on Gotham in the group stage that year.
Gotham FC has a 5-6-6 (W-D-L) record in Challenge Cup history, with a 2-3-2 home record and 3-3-4 record on the road.
UKG will double the prize pool for the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, bringing the first-ever million-dollar prize pool to U.S. professional women’s soccer.
In tandem with the tournament kickoff, UKG and the NWSL are launching a co-branded “Challenge Accepted” campaign which emphasizes the unwavering support for equity both on and off the field.
In 32 matches between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit in all competitions, Gotham FC is 10-8-14 against the Washington Spirit. Gotham FC is looking to pick up their first win against the club since June 2022 (L, 1-0).
After the Challenge Cup match against Washington Spirit, Gotham FC returns to Red Bull Arena for a regular season match on Saturday, April 22 against the NC Courage. The teams will kick off at 7:30 p.m.