ORLANDO — Gotham FC accomplished its second postseason upset with a 1-0 win over the Orlando Pleasure within the sixth minute of stoppage time at Inter&Co Stadium.
Jaedyn Shaw, who recorded a objective and an help in Gotham’s defeat of the No. 1-ranked Kansas Metropolis Present final Sunday, scored the lone objective of the match off a right-footed free kick. The Orlando Pleasure are the reigning NWSL champions and entered the playoffs ranked fourth.
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Gotham will meet the No. 2 Washington Spirit in San Jose, Calif., at PayPal Park on Nov. 22. The Spirit beat the Portland Thorns 2-0 at house Saturday to advance to the finals.
Gotham’s beginning lineup had only one change from its beautiful extra-time upset of the Kansas Metropolis Present, and it was a giant one. Esther González, the NWSL Golden Boot runner-up with 13 objectives on the season, noticed her first begin since Oct. 11, returning to the pitch Sunday afternoon. She was practically unrecognizable along with her head stuffed with braids, departing from the center-part ponytail that had develop into her signature since becoming a member of the NWSL.
Each side appeared largely content material to offer the opposite area with the ball. Orlando had the better-quality possibilities, each in open play and on set items, together with a classic left-footed roller from Marta from outdoors the field that went inches above the online. Essentially the most promising alternative within the first half was a pushed cross into the penalty field by ahead Julie Doyle that Jacquie Ovalle was unable to complete.
There was an evenness of physicality, too, stuffed with well-timed tackles and dedicated challenges. Middle official Alyssa Pennington was beneficiant in her allowances for essentially the most half, issuing yellow playing cards within the first half to Gotham defenders Emily Sonnett and Bruninha and to Pleasure heart again Emily Sams within the second.
This text initially appeared in The Athletic.
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