Gotham FC faced off against their East Coast rivals, the Washington Spirit, for a Saturday matinee. The Bats were looking to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat in their last game.
The start of the match could not have been better for Gotham as Sarah Schupansky was able to get on the score sheet in the opening three minutes. This was the first goal of the season for the Gotham rookie, who put the ball in the back of the net off a low cross from fellow rookie Lilly Reale.
Throughout the first half, the Bats applied a high press against the Spirit, forcing turnovers that allowed them to test the Washington goalkeeper. A turnover would lead to a penalty for Gotham in the 30th minute, after Geyse picked off the clearance from a Spirit defender. The ball would find Esther, who was taken down inside the 18-yard box. Esther would be the one to convert the penalty and put Gotham up 2-0.
Washington did have their chances as Ann-Katrin Berger came up with a big save in the 33rd minute. Gotham, however, was able to handle the Spirit attack.
In the 39th minute, Esther would score her second goal of the game off a corner. She was left alone in the 18 where she met the cross and headed it into the far corner of the goal. Gotham would take their 3-0 lead into the half.
The Bats came out of halftime firing. In the first ten minutes of the second half, they would have three opportunities on goal and one corner.
After a strong first ten minutes, the game would open up for both teams. The Spirit were able to better maintain possession and build up attacks, as well as try to get going on the counterattack. The Bats were able to hold their shape and thwart any attempts, and again Berger would prove to be big with her saves that did get through the defense.
Despite both teams’ efforts to score, however, the second half would be scoreless. Gotham was able to close the match 3-0, coming back strong after their defeat last week.
Esther found the back of the net twice against Washington, giving her seven goals in four matches. Ann-Katrin Berger made Gotham’s 1,000th save, helping Gotham FC to be the first club to reach the milestone the NWSL. New signing Geyse would also get her first start in this game. This game also marked the first time that Gotham was able to beat the Spirit in D.C.
The game was full of positives that the team should continue to build on as they look to match or finish better than last season’s third-place result. It was also a game that showed that the chemistry on the team is becoming stronger. With a lot of new faces and the old ones, the start of the 2025 season has been a bit lackluster, but within the last couple of games, it is evident that the team is trending up. Especially looking at how they were able to bounce back after a heavy loss with a big win, it is clear that the mindset Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros is setting up with his team is resonating with the players.
