Gotham FC defeated Chicago Stars FC 3-1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Friday night to take their club-record home regular-season unbeaten streak to 11.
Jaedyn Shaw gave Gotham a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute and the Bats didn’t look back.
The 21-year-old first-timed an early go-ahead goal after Jordynn Dudley found Sam Kerr down the wing before the Australian international supplied the primary assist.
Shaw Makes NWSL History By Becoming Youngest To Score 25th Regular-Season Goal
Shaw made history by becoming the youngest player to score 25 regular-season goals in league history at 21 years, 10 months and five days old.
“I cannot speak highly enough of Jaedyn,” head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said following the match. “I think from the moment she joined us, she’s grown as a human. She’s grown on the pitch, she’s grown on the ball, she’s grown off the ball. I think today her defensive work was outstanding.
“She added those two goals. She read the pictures and interpreted really well what she needed to do and executed really well. I’m not surprised she has achieved that and got that record because the way she sees the game and the way she plays the game. It makes it special. She puts that together with being a fantastic teammate, a fantastic player to coach, a fantastic human. I’m super happy to hear that she got that record.”
Previously, Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Wilson was the fastest to reach the milestone at 22 years and eight months old and in 41 games.
If not for the efforts of former United States international Alyssa Naeher, Chicago could have been staring at a 3-0 first-half deficit. The 38-year-old goalkeeper made several saves to keep the visitors in the match as the Stars went into halftime trailing 1-0.
Sam Kerr Plays Key Role In Gotham’s Win
Not long after the second half got underway, Kerr headed in a well-placed cross from Guro Reiten to double Gotham’s lead.
Shaw recorded a brace by scoring in the 66th minute. Rose Lavelle found space by putting a Chicago defender on the floor and slid the ball to an open Shaw.
Rockville Centre, New York native Meredith Speck made her home debut as an 82nd-minute substitute.
Tessa Dellarose got Chicago on the board in the 87th minute to deny Ann-Katrin Berger’s shutout bid.
The disparity between the two clubs couldn’t have been clearer on Friday. Gotham has positioned itself as the most dominant side in the NWSL while last-place Chicago will require major roster reconstruction to return to competitiveness.
Gotham FC will next face Angel City FC on Sunday, October 4. The 1 p.m. Eastern Time match will be carried nationally on ABC.
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