Esther González put in a dominating performance to lift Gotham FC to a 3-1 road victory over the Utah Royals.
The Spanish striker scored twice on Friday night to move even with Sam Kerr as Gotham’s all-time regular-season leading scorer with 28 goals.
Teammates know that even the best of strikers can fall into dry spells, and it was only a matter of time before Esther would return to her usual goal-getting ways.
Esther Returns to Goalscoring Form, Equals Gotham FC’s Regular-Season Scoring Record
“I think it was a complete performance today,” defender Jess Carter said during Friday’s post-match press conference. “Sometimes we have to try and rein her in a little bit because I’ve never known a number nine who wants to go and press so much.
“Sometimes we have to try and keep her back to keep us compact. She’s a workhorse, and I’m glad that the goals are coming for her. I think she’s been unlucky at times with hitting the post or crossbar. So obviously it’s great for us that she’s got a couple of goals today and hopefully that makes her feel really confident going into the next game.”
“You see her movement in the box – she got on the ball, got two chances early there,” left-back Guro Reiten added. “But then the penalty, you know she’s going to score, and the last one when she just gets past the goalkeeper is brilliant.”
With Kerr set to debut in Gotham’s next match, the July 15 Queens Classic at Citi Field, it’s possible that the duo of experienced strikers will engage in a back-and-forth tug-of-war over that record.
Gotham FC Secure 100th Regular-Season NWSL Victory
Friday’s win at America First Field marked the 100th regular-season victory in club history and moved Gotham back within the top four.
It was a particularly important win after the Bats saw their three-month unbeaten streak snapped in a 2-0 defeat to San Diego Wave FC on July 4.
“I think the importance of not losing back-to-back is huge,” Carter stated. “The importance of getting this win… you go away, and you’re away for 10, 12 days. Obviously, going into our next game, we want to go in with confidence and feeling good.”
Former Gotham forward Cece Delzer scored the match’s opening goal for Utah in the 23rd minute when she slipped behind the Bats’ back line and beat Ann-Katrin Berger with an expertly placed strike.
González would reply three minutes later to even the contest with a successfully converted penalty after hardworking rookie forward Jordynn Dudley drew a foul in the box.
Captain Tierna Davidson scored the eventual match-winning goal in the 50th minute just before half on a well-rehearsed corner routine where Dudley drew the attention of several Utah defenders.
Juan Carlos Amorós Praises Sarah Schupansky’s Assist: ‘Really, Really Different Class’
González’s second goal of the night in the 70th minute ended any hope of a Utah comeback. The 33-year-old forward was sprung by second-half substitute Sarah Schupansky, who threaded a sublime chipped pass.
“I think Esther, she’s always someone that’s going to give you 300 percent and it doesn’t matter what’s the game, what we’re playing for,” head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said.
“She’s probably wanted to score more goals than the one that she has scored this year. But today, taking the responsibility again on that penalty, the same that against Kansas City, to get us back in the game, difficult moment.”
“Then I think her second goal was unbelievable. The pass from Sarah was really, really different class and how her finish was composed. Esther is such a great human being, leader on and off the ball, always giving 200 percent. She’s a key player, and we’re super happy to be able to celebrate those two goals from her.”
Gotham will next face the rival Washington Spirit under the bright lights of Citi Field in the highly-anticipated Queens Classic on July 15. The rematch of last year’s NWSL Championship Game will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday.
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