Sunday night contained two matches in the National Women’s Soccer League. Gotham FC lost in a late penalty kick to the Kansas City Current, and the Houston Dash and Angel City FC ended in a tie.
Gotham FC 0, Kansas City Current 1
The Skinny: Home team Gotham FC fought hard but ultimately came up short against visitors the Kansas City Current, continuing their disappointing season while the Current climbed the NWSL table.
One Key Moment: An impressively even game remained 0-0 well into the second half, until a foul in the box from Gotham defender Ellie Jean led to a penalty kick for the Current, which Hailie Mace converted into a goal. This mistake from Gothamâs defense cost them the game.
Inside the Game: Entering Sunday eveningâs game, Gotham were desperate to end an eight-game losing streak, while the Current aimed to extend their 12-game unbeaten streak to 13. Gotham, who have struggled all season and currently sit in last place, have made significant progress in their cohesion and organization under new coach Hue Menzies over their past few games, though the results donât show it.
Deep into Sunday nightâs game, it seemed once again that Menziesâs influence was paying off, as Gotham had not only defended all of the Currentâs shots on goals but had attempted a few strong ones of their own. And when a controversial call was made in Gothamâs favor, disqualifying a Current goal, Gotham had all the more reason to believe they could break their winless curse.
Unfortunately, thatâs not how the story goes. A botched defensive play from Gothamâs Ellie Jean in the 77th minute led to a penalty kick that would provide the only goal of the game, and Kansas City went home with the win. Gotham has made undeniable strides under Menzies, but they have to avoid needless mistakes if they want to break out of the bottom of the table before their season ends.
Goals:
1. Kansas City Current – Hailie Mace, 78â (P)
Houston Dash 1, Angel City FC 1
The Skinny: As the race to the NWSL playoffs gets closer, the 4th-place Houston Dash tied 7th-place Angel City FC 1-1 in Houston, which keeps the Dash comfortably in the playoffs and Angel City one spot out of the running.
One Key Moment: Maria SĂĄnchez opened the scoring with an absolute rocket for the Houston Dash that soared for miles before finding the far right corner. And the spectacular goal came on the night Houston gave away custom SĂĄnchez bobbleheads, no less! Perhaps more bobbleheads lead to more goals.
Inside The Game: Sunday nightâs match between the Houston Dash and Angel City FC was a great defensive battle between two competitive teams. The stakes were high, as well â every game for these two teams matters, as Houston tries to protect their playoff spot and Angel City fights for one.
The highlights of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, were the stunning goals by both sides. The shot from SĂĄnchez was a testament to what one can do when they take a big chance, and the goal from Angel Cityâs Simone Charley in the 49th was an example of what one can do when they donât give up. Charley, making an impressive run towards the Houston goal, seemed to have lost the ball at Dash keeper Jane Campbellâs hands, when all of a sudden, the ball slipped past Campbell and found its way back to Charleyâs feet, which never stopped moving. Charley suddenly had an empty net in front of her and leveled the game for Angel City.
The 1-1 result of the match did not lead to a dramatic shift in playoff opportunity for either side, but it was an entertaining battle by two competitive sides who both tried to get creative in the second half. There still remains only one point between 7th-place Angel City and 6th-place Chicago Red Stars, so Angel Cityâs next match against the North Carolina Courage could prove to be crucial.
Goals:
- Houston Dash – Maria SĂĄnchez, 43â
- Angel City FC – Simone Charley, 49′
