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Recap: Gotham FC Secures First Win of Season With 3-1 Victory Over NC Courage |
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VIDEO Coach Juan Carlos Amorós VIDEO Lilly Reale and Midge Purce QUOTES Full transcript from press conference, mixed zone VIDEO Full Match Highlights PHOTOS via Gotham FC media folder STATS Here Gotham FC earned its first victory of the 2025 NWSL season on Sunday, defeating the North Carolina Courage, 3-1, in front of 7,115 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Forward Esther González led the way with her first two goals of the season, recording a brace in a six-minute span late in the first half to give Gotham a 2-0 advantage at the break. Defender Lilly Reale added to the lead early in the second half with her first professional goal. Forward Ella Stevens and defender Bruninha each registered their first assists of the 2025 campaign in helping González and Reale score, and forwards Geyse and Midge Purce made their first appearances of the season, bringing a celebratory exclamation point to Sunday’s proceedings. It was the first time Purce, the 2023 NWSL Championship MVP, played in more than a year after tearing her ACL early last season. “The key to winning this match was doing things the right way,” said Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “In the end, for us, it’s about how we work — always paying attention to the details we need to improve and not losing our heads. We have a clear way of doing things. I think today showed that when we stick to that method, it brings results. Trusting in our way of working has been key. The important thing is reinforcing those aspects and showing individual strengths. We’re in a good place as a team, and that shows.” The win moved Gotham FC (1-1-2, 5 points) into a tie for fifth place in the NWSL standings. Amorós said the result finally matched the statistical performance, something that has frustrated his team this year after producing quality play but not the goals and wins to go with it. Against North Carolina, Gotham controlled several statistical categories, including expected goals (2.32-0.44) and total shots (21-9), and snapped the Courage’s 59-game streak of holding more possession than its opponents. Gotham FC returns to play on Friday, April 18, when it faces Angel City FC at 10:30 p.m. ET at BMO Stadium. MSG Networks will carry the broadcast of the game. Key Match Points
Gotham FC vs. NC Courage Sunday, April 13, 2025 4 p.m. ET kickoff Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J. Attendance: 7,115 Weather: 58 degrees, partly cloudy Gotham FC (2, 1 – 3) NC Courage (0, 1 – 1) Scoring Summary: Gotham FC 43’ - Esther González (Ella Stevens) 45’+4 - Esther González 46’ - Lilly Reale (Bruninha) NC Courage 90’+5 - Brianna Pinto (Meredith Speck) Gotham FC (4-3-3): 30 - Ann-Katrin Berger (GK); 27 - Jess Carter (78’ 20 - Jéssica Silva), 22 - Mandy Freeman (c), 6 - Emily Sonnett, 4 - Lilly Reale; 7 - Jaelin Howell, 11 - Sarah Schupansky (73’ 10 - Geyse), 14 - Nealy Martin; 18 - Gabi Portilho (73’ 23 - Midge Purce), 9 - Esther González (81’ 5 - Cece Kizer), 13 - Ella Stevens (46’ 3 - Bruninha) Head coach: Juan Carlos Amorós
NC Courage (4-3-3): 1 - Casey Murphy (GK); 13 - Ryan Williams, 3 - Kaleigh Kurtz, 27 - Maycee Bell, 11 - Felicitas Rauch (66’ 24 - Brooklyn Courtnall); 10 - Denise O’Sullivan (c), 19 - Jaedyn Shaw; (56’ 25 - Meredith Speck), 20 - Shinomi Koyama (66’ 16 - Riley Jackson); 2 - Ashley Sanchez (66’ 77 - Aline Gomes), 34 - Manaka Matsukuno (66’ 8 - Brianna Pinto), 30 - Hannah Betfort Head coach: Sean Nahas Stats Summary GFC / NC Expected Goals: 2.32 / 0.44 Shots: 21 / 9 Shots on Goal: 8 / 4 Saves: 3 / 5 Corner Kicks: 5 / 3 Fouls: 10 / 10 Offside: 2 / 4 Misconduct Summary: Gotham FC 26’ - Ella Stevens (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul) NC Courage 79’ - Riley Jackson (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul) Officials Referee: Joshua Encarnacion Assistant Referee 1: Matt Trotter Assistant Referee 2: Sharon Gingrich 4th Official: Stephen Foster VAR: Elijio Arreguin AVAR: Kali Smith Key Quotes HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS AMORÓS Thoughts on today’s match “The game today, for me, it was a continuation of what we've been doing, but with the difference that this time, we were able to be a little bit more effective and create more things going forward. In the first 30 minutes, we didn't start really well. They were better in that period of time. We had to do some adjustments, some movements with personnel, but I think that worked really well. And then those two goals from us there before the half, they really set us up well for the second half. And in the second half we completely dominated in terms of every aspect of the game.” FORWARD MIDGE PURCE Thoughts on today’s match “I felt good. I don't think I have a really sensationalized idea of what happened yet. I think a lot of people ask me, well, how did it feel? I felt good. It felt really good to just be with the team again, especially coming into a 3-0 win. I was really proud of everyone and Lilly Reale for scoring a goal, but I'm just really grateful for how supportive everyone has been, and they made the debut a really special day.” DEFENDER LILLY REALE On their preparations in creating attacking moments “There are a lot of new players this year, myself included, so I think it just took a little bit to get that chemistry, the first couple of games, and now that we've kind of opened the floodgates, I think there's nothing we can't do. We just need to keep playing together and not necessarily get too excited in front of the goal and just finish off like we did those 3 goals today. I think having Midge [Purce], having Geyse now will only add to our attack and just create a bit of versatility that we need up there.” GOALKEEPER MICHELLE BETOS Thoughts on being back in the kit “I had to switch real quick. I got in the Normatec boots. I was doing some stretching. I went from [planning] a session to being in the session. It all happened really quickly for me. Obviously, pray Ann - [Katrin Berger] stays healthy and does her thing, but also physically I'm not going to change overnight, so just mentally how can I be ready.” FORWARD ESTHER GONZÁLEZ Thoughts on dedicating her first goals of the season “I am really happy. I really wanted to score my first goal. So, overall, I am really happy to have done so at home and in front of our fans. Scoring that first goal gives us confidence, especially at home, with our fans behind us. They keep showing up in large numbers, and that’s something we really value. I also want to dedicate this win to my partner, my family, my teammates, and everyone we work with every day — they help us reach our individual and collective goals.” |