Match Recap: Gotham FC Advances to Summer Cup Semifinals, defeats Chivas 3-0

HARRISON, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil to advance to the semifinals of the NWSL x LigaMX Summer Cup. Gotham FC forward Katie Stengel recorded a brace, while forward Ella Stevens notched her sixth goal of the season and dished out two assists. Additionally, new signee Jess Carter made her debut with the club. 

After a weather delay, Gotham FC and Chivas finally kicked off the first match between the two sides. The home side eventually settled into the physical match through possession and building out of the back. 

Gotham FC created its first scoring opportunity in the 31st minute.Stevens sent a cross into the box, where Stengel controlled the ball with a single touch before finding the back of the net to put Gotham FC ahead 1-0. The goal was her first of the 2024 season in all competitions.

Later, the club nearly doubled the lead when midfielder McCall Zerboni unleashed a shot from outside the box, but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar, keeping the score at 1-0.

In the 58th minute, Chivas came close to leveling the score. During a set piece, midfielder Carolina Jaramillo sent a ball into the crowded box, but Gotham FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos made a diving save, preventing any Chivas players from getting a shot off.

Just moments later, Gotham FC found the back of the net again in the 63rd minute. Stengel delivered a through ball to Stevens, who took a spinning touch around her defender before sliding the ball past the keeper into the far-side netting, making it 2-0.

Gotham FC scored its third goal of the match in the 71st minute. After a series of combinations down the right flank, Stevens laid a pass back to the middle of the box, where Stengel struck the ball on her first touch, finding the back of the net for the second time in the match.

In the match, Gotham FC led Chivas in ball possession (60%-40%), shots (12-5), shots on goal (4-1), and completed passes (347-199).

Gotham FC will travel to Kansas City for the Summer Cup semifinal to face Angel City FC on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Fans can tune in at 5 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network or Paramount+. “““““““““““““““““

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POSTGAME ASSETS 

QUOTES
Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros
On lessons he learned from today to take for the rest of the season…
First, I thought it was a fantastic game. I think the environment was great and to finally play at the Red Bull Arena again was great. It was a little bit of a puffy start for football, I would say because there were so many fans from Chivas, so many fans from us I think the environment was fantastic. That by itself is already worth it. There are a lot of people that when these teams play and can see how many fans they can hold. It’s fantastic. Hopefully, they stay and know how we play and they will come back to us more. For us, it is super important as a team, as a club, to want to play against the other countries to improve. I think that from my experience that makes you a better coach, a better player, and a better team. On top of that, we’re going into the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is already a lot of experience. We could see the Mexican teams play with fantastic intensity. They were very good tactically. They really gave us a game where we have to be put on the ball to control and don’t fall into that transitio\n game. There are a lot of different things that were positive out of the game today and that definitely makes us better. In terms of player development as well I think it’s great for players that have the potential to be international at some point. Like Yazmeen Ryan and last year’s players that could be going to the international level. I think it’s also something that can benefit them in the future. 

Gotham FC forward Ella Stevens
On playing a new team outside the NWSL…
I think it’s great anytime you get to play a different team that you’re not used to playing in your league. We get to see different things, and I think it was a lot of fun – watching them play when I was not close to the ball defending. But it was tough defending them too they’re really good on the ball, they play with a lot of flare, they play a lot of one and two touch balls.

On playing with Katie Stengel…
It’s been so much fun playing with Katie. I think we play very similarly, so I can kind of read what she’s trying to do. We think similarly on the ball, so I think it’s been great. I was very happy she was able to put two away today, because she easily could have put a lot away this season but it’s just like missed the mark and that happens. So, really glad she was able to put those away and hopefully she just keeps going.

Gotham FC defender Jess Carter
On making her first appearance with Gotham FC…
Firstly it was very hot, trying to get used to that. But it was just great, I was really happy to be on the pitch. I didn’t feel nervous or anything, the girls have been so welcoming, management has been so welcoming. I knew I could just go out on the pitch and just play and do my thing and have fun and the girls have my back the whole time. So, today’s been a good day. 

On playing in the NWSL…
I think it’s improved so much. Obviously I’ve followed it now for quite a while, but specifically this season more, and I think the standard has gotten so much higher. I think more teams are trying to be a bit more technical instead of traditionally being quite direct. More teams are trying to play and build it from the back, and that’s something that I like to see that the direction of the club is going into. So, I’m really happy to be a part of that kind of journey. 

Key Match Notes

• Gotham FC clinched Group D, the No. 2 seed in the Summer Cup semifinals and a semifinal matchup with Angel City FC with the win. 
• Katie Stengel scored her first two goals of 2024 and notched her second career NWSL brace and first since June 30, 2018 for Utah.
• Ella Stevens scored her sixth goal in all competitions in 2024. She also posted the eighth multi-assist game in Gotham FC history (all competitions) and first since Midge Purce in the 2023 NWSL Championship. Stevens is the first player other than Purce to have multiple assists in a game for Gotham FC since 2016.
• Michelle Betos made her first start of 2024 and posted her first shutout since June 4, 2022.
• Kristen Edmonds made her first start of 2024.
• Nealy Martin completed 51 of 54 passes.
• Defender Jess Carter made her Gotham FC debut. 

MATCH SUMMARY
Gotham FC vs. Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil 
August 2, 2024 – Red Bull Arena 
Goals by Half             1      2     F
Chivas                        0      0     0
Gotham FC                 1      2     3

Scoring Summary:
GFC: Katie Stengel (Ella Stevens 31′, Ella Stevens 71′), Ella Stevens (Katie Stengel 63′)

Misconduct Summary:
GFC:YC: Kristen Edmonds (25′), Ella Stevens (33′)

Lineups:
GUA: Blanca Félix, Damaris Godínez, Diana Rodriguez, Karla Martínez (Kinberly Guzmán 59′), Angélica Torres (Yamile Franco 59′), Dorian Hernández, Daniela Delgado (Victoria Acevedo 74′), Carolina Jaramillo (Dana Sandoval 71′), Gabriela Valenzuela, Viridiana Salazar (Adriana Iturbide 59′), Alicia Cervantes 

GFC: Michelle Betos, Bruninha (McKenna Whitham 80′), Sam Hiatt, Maycee Bell, Kristen Edmonds (Jess Carter 61′), Nealy Martin, Yazmeen Ryan (Taryn Torres 77′), Katie Stengel, Maitane, McCall Zerboni (Delanie Sheehan 61′), Ella Stevens (Sabrina Flores 77′)