Gotham FC’s club-record 10-match unbeaten streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon at Centennial Stadium as the expansion Denver Summit handed the visiting Bats a surprising 3-0 defeat.
Yuzuki Yamamoto, Olivia Thomas and former Gotham forward Yazmeen Ryan found the scoresheet on an 89-degree day in the high altitude of Colorado.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from Gotham, which entered Sunday with the NWSL’s best defensive record.
Juan Carlos Amorós returned to the touchline for his first match in charge since Gotham’s July 18 home victory over Seattle Reign FC.
“Obviously, it’s a disappointing day for us here in Denver, for sure,” Amorós said. “We started slow in the first half then we got into it. We probably should have taken the lead, they could have as well. It was a very even game.
“We knew that the first goal was going to be important. They obviously took the advantage. We tried to introduce some subs. With the altitude, we’re making sure that we’re bringing some fresh legs into the team. At the end, we concede those two goals. Overall, disappointing. We need to look at ourselves and make sure that we go against Louisville and get those three points.”
O’Sullivan Earns First Gotham Start
Midfielder Denise O’Sullivan made her first start for Gotham since she arrived on loan from Liverpool on July 14.
“Denise is fantastic,” midfielder Jaelin Howell said prior to Sunday’s match. “The moment she came in, we already knew her from the league, and the quality that she brings in, the leadership aspects. I really enjoy playing with Denise.
“Just her technical ability, the way she sees the field, the way she can just calm us down on the ball, connect passes, but also if she’s a little bit higher, her ability to pick out our forwards is really good. Defensively, she’s very good as well. She’s going to bring a lot of stability to the team. I’m really excited to see what she can do for us.”
Her 62 minutes played against Denver was her longest appearance for her new club.
Boade, Speck Make Gotham Debuts
Long Island native Meredith Speck was summoned in the 62nd minute to see her first action after signing for Gotham on August 6.
Speck and fellow midfielder Savannah McCaskill subbed on for O’Sullivan and Bruninha in the 62nd minute.
Midfielder Tess Boade replaced forward Jordynn Dudley to open the second half.
Boade signed for the Bats on August 20 after she agreed to a mutual contract termination with Bay FC one day earlier.
It was a fitting venue for Boade to make her Gotham debut as she was raised in Golden, Colorado.
“I actually went to high school about 15 minutes down the road, so driving to the stadium today was a little memory lane,” Boade said. “I’m so pumped for the team here. I think they’re building something really cool, but I am pretty pissed that they won today. It was really fun though, to see my family and friends in the crowd.”
Both Speck and Boade are signed through the end of the 2026 season.
Gotham will look to get back to winning ways on Friday, September 11, when they visit Lynn Family Stadium to face Racing Louisville FC.
“We need to go to the next game and really show the personality and the football that we know we have in us,” Amorós stated. “We need to be better.”
Friday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. NWSL+ will carry the broadcast.
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