April 18, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
NJ/NY Gotham FC in action
(NJ/NY Gotham FC)
HARRISON, N.J. – Gotham FC is set to face off against the Washington Spirit at home at Red Bull Arena on April 19 (7:30 p.m. ET, Paramount+) to kick off the club’s highly-anticipated first match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.
In 2022, Gotham FC finished third place in the East grouping of the competition after earning a total of six points with a 1-3-2 (W-D-L) record. This year, the club has its sights set on a Challenge Cup championship after coming close to winning it all in the two prior years of the tournament.
During the 2021 tournament, Gotham FC advanced to the championship match, but ultimately lost in a penalty shootout to the Portland Thorns (6-5).
In 2020, the Challenge Cup launched as the first professional team sporting event to return to play in United States after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that year, the squad made it out of group play and advanced to semifinals before falling to the Chicago Red Stars.
To kick off the 2023 Challenge Cup, Gotham FC will take on Washington Spirit who they have a 10-8-14 record against. Gotham FC is looking to pick up their first win against the club since June 2022 (L, 1-0).
Following the match on Wednesday night, Gotham FC will host a media availability via Zoom.
Gotham FC Storylines
2022 Challenge Cup
Gotham FC closed the 2022 Challenge Cup with a 1-3-2 (six points) record to finish third in the East grouping.
Gotham FC Challenge Cup Leaders
Midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi tallied a goal against Washington Spirit in 2022, making her the fifth player to record two career goals in the Challenge Cup. Kawasumi joined forwards Midge Purce, Paige Monaghan, Carli Lloyd and Évelyne Viens in the record book, who are all past or present players with Gotham FC.
Gotham FC Challenge Cup History
Gotham FC advanced out of group play in each of the first two Challenge Cup tournaments, appearing in the semifinals in 2020 before falling in penalties to the Portland Thorns in 2021, making Gotham FC the tournament’s runner-up.
Gotham FC topped the North Carolina Courage, 4-3, in the 2021 Challenge Cup. North Carolina was the only team to score on Gotham in the group stage that year.
Gotham FC has a 5-6-6 (W-D-L) record in Challenge Cup history, with a 2-3-2 home record and 3-3-4 record on the road.
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