Gotham FC set a club record by extending their unbeaten streak to a club record 10 matches by drawing 1-1 against Portland Thorns FC on Friday night.
Following the match, defender Jess Carter called for the Bats to find their clinical edge. Gotham were unable to find a second goal despite owning 74 percent of possession and outpassing Portland, 640-224.
“I think we’re all a bit deflated to be honest,” Carter said in the mixed zone. “I feel like we could have taken more from that game in terms of I feel like we controlled it quite a bit but I think it’s a consistent theme at the moment of trying to build the right connections in the attacking third. That’s not just our forwards, that’s all of us making the right decisions and having those connections to try and be a bit more clinical.”
Jaedyn Shaw scored a long-range drive past Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold in the 60th minute.
Shaw sensed that Arnold was off her line and hit an audacious dipping shot from roughly 35 yards out. Though she didn’t claim it was intentional and admitted that it was a cross.
“I don’t think it’s a secret based off my reaction to the goal,” Shaw said. “I was trying to cross it. I’m really happy it went in the goal.”
Portland would even the match through a 75th-minute Sophia Wilson penalty. After VAR review, Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell was judged to have committed a tripping offense in the box.
Wilson sent Gotham keeper Ann-Katrin Berger the wrong way in a coolly slotted take.
O’Sullivan Returns in Substitute Appearance
Republic of Ireland women’s national team star Denise O’Sullivan saw her first match action since July 24 when these sides met in a 2-2 draw at Providence Park.
O’Sullivan entered the match in the 69th minute in a triple substitution.
“It’s great to have Sully back,” Shaw said.
The 32-year-old midfielder played 21 minutes in Friday’s draw.
“I’m very happy here so far. It’s been I think only seven weeks now. Everyone has been so welcoming at the club. It’s a very high performance culture. A really good environment to be a part of and I’m being challenged every day. So I’m really excited to be here and excited for the future with the club.”
Cook Misses Out, No Update on Lavelle’s Status
Midfield Sofia Cook missed the match due to a lower leg injury.
“She had a knock on the ankle,” Harris explained. “I’m not sure how it came about, but she reported it at training and then didn’t feel well enough to roster.”
Harris was unable to provide an update on midfielder Rose Lavelle, who remains in concussion protocol.
“I haven’t had any update,” Harris said. “I’ll catch up with the medics to see where we’re at in the next game.”
Gotham FC will next begin a three-game road trip starting with a visit to Centennial Stadium to face Denver Summit FC on September 6.
Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós will return to take charge against Denver.
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