HARRISON, NJ – After back-to-back games on the road, NJ/NY Gotham FC returns to Red Bull Arena to host the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, May 19 (5 p.m. ET, MSG / NWSL+). Sunday’s match will be the first meeting between the two teams in the 2024 season.
Gotham FC picked up a crucial seven points in a three-game week, with four points coming from two road games. Most recently, Gotham FC played San Diego Wave FC to a 1-1 draw at Snapdragon Stadium. Forward Ella Stevens recorded her first goal with the club, when she fired a half-volley past the San Diego goalkeeper. The goal from Stevens earned NWSL Goal of the Week honors.
Sunday’s match will be a star-studded affair. Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams is closing in on the leagues’ all-time, all competitions scoring record. She leads a Gotham FC team that has scored in each of the last five games against a Chicago Red Stars side with scoring sensation Mallory Swanson and U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
The Red Stars are coming off a 3-1 win over the Utah Royals on Sunday, May 12. Chicago’s Jenna Bike, Mallory Swanson and Penelope Hocking all scored in the win. Going into the weekend, Chicago currently sits fifth in the league standings with a record of 5-3-1 (16 points).
Key Notes
- Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has saved 18 of the 20 shots she’s faced in her first four career NWSL matches. Berger is the fifth goalkeeper in NWSL history to allow two or fewer goals through her first four regular-season starts and the first since Bella Bixby for Portland in 2021.
- Forward Lynn Williams is one goal away from breaking Sam Kerr’s NWSL goal record (in all competitions). Williams currently is tied with Kerr at 77 goals in all competitions.
- Midfielder Nealy Martin won seven aerial duels vs. the Wave, which is her regular season career best.
- Williams’s eight goals in the regular season against Chicago is the third-most of any player.
- Forward Crystal Dunn has six goals in the regular season against Chicago, which is tied for sixth-most of any player.
Outside the Lines
- Sunday is Mental Health Awareness Night presented by RWJBarnabas Health.
- In support of the night’s initiative, Gotham FC and the club’s official health care provider RWJBarnabas Health will highlight organizations onsite and provide materials that champion mental health throughout the matchday experience.
- The Society for Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS) and the Eating Disorders Program at RWJUH Somerset part of RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Services, will have representatives in Fan Fest to share resources and programming with fans at the stadium, while handmade jewelry vendor Live Rainbowfully will have specially crafted items inspired in support of positive mental health.
- Prior to kickoff, actress Jennifer Esposito and sailor Cole Brauer will serve as honorary torchbearers to take part in a Gotham FC home game tradition. Esposito and Brauer will join members of the community and the club’s passionate supporters group for the ceremonial pregame lighting of an eight-foot tall torch that ignites with a live flame before kickoff.
