April 30, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
NJ/NY Gotham FC defender Ali Krieger
(NJ/NY Gotham FC)
KANSAS CITY – After a scoreless first half that included close chances from both sides, Gotham FC fell 2-0 to the Kansas City Current on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park, with both goals scored in the second half by KC forward Debinha.
Gotham FC goalkeeper Abby Smith was the star of the first half, making a series of sterling saves in her 50th career NWSL appearance. In one sequence in the 29th minute, Smith made consecutive stops on near chances by Current forwards Mimmi Larsson and Cece Kizer.
After their goalkeeper’s heroics, Gotham FC mounted a more sustained offensive attack, with an individual effort by forward Yazmeen Ryan in the 37th minute to create the club’s best scoring chance. At the end of the first half, Gotham FC held the advantage in both possession (54 percent) and in shots (9-5).
“Kansas City came out strong and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Smith said at halftime after keeping the Current off the scoresheet.
“In the first half, we applied the game plan, had opportunities to take the lead and defended well, but in the second half, [the Current] were more effective and goals change games,” said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “The good thing in this moment is that we have an opportunity to get a victory in three days. We will always look at the positive side.”
Smith was also strong in the second half, making a save on KC’s Michelle Cooper from five yards out in the center of the box in the 50th minute. Moments later, Gotham FC’s Yazmeen Ryan set up Lynn Williams, but her shot was deflected by Current goalkeeper Cassie Miller.
Kansas City took over the match behind Debinha’s two goals and played tight defense to secure the clean sheet. Debinha opened the scoring in the 57th minute on a breakaway goal set up by Lo’eau LaBonta, and Debinha scored again in the 61st minute.
For the match, the Current had eight shots on target to Gotham FC’s three. The loss was the first on the road in the 2023 regular season for Gotham FC (3-0-2) and ended the club’s three-match winning streak in all competitions.
“We need to be better defensively and to take advantage of our chances in the offensive end,” said Gotham FC captain and defender Ali Krieger, who was named the Gotham FC Player of the Match presented by CarMax. “We will learn from the little defensive mistakes we made in the game. We will…