NJ/NY Gotham FC enter Saturday’s match coming off their quarterfinal win to face a formidable Washington Spirit team. Both teams finished the regular season with the same amount of points, but the Spirit was able to claim second place with their goal difference.
Gotham FC lost four regular season games and two of those were to the Spirit. Both of those matched, however, were at the beginning of the season. To say that these teams are the same ones that played back each other back in June would be a misjudgment. After having lost in their last meeting, Gotham would only lose one other regular season game.
The Bats have had a tremendous season of growth. At the start of the season, with a lot of new and big-name signings, it was hard for the team to find exactly what was needed on the pitch to get those wins. As the season went on, though, the chemistry grew and it was visible on the pitch.
Now Gotham is playing high press, high intensity soccer. This is how they are able to on top. The Bats figures out to keep the energy high in games and it has helped them to create the high pressure. The high pressure, especially in the midfield, forces turn overs that allow Gotham to have the amount of opportunities that they do have.
On the defensive end it helps to have Olympic gold medalists and arguably one of the best goalkeepers in women’s soccer. Emily Sonnet and Tierna Davidson are a dream center back pairing that allows Ann-Katrin Berger to not have to make too many saves in 90 minutes. When she is called upon, however, Berger is able to deliver a save that shows why she is nominated for the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
All this growth leads the Bats to one of their biggest tests this season in a semifinal match against the Spirit. After having bested Bay FC in over time last Sunday, the Spirit is looking to pick off Gotham the same way they did in the regular season. As the Bats travel to Washington DC for the match, the Spirit will rely on their tight knit team and home fans to get them through to the NWSL final.
The Washington Spirit vs Gotham FC semifinal match takes place Saturday Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. on CBS.
