In a stunning twist in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) quarterfinals, the eighth-seeded Gotham FC defeated the top-seeded Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time on Sunday. The match, held at CPKC Stadium, marked an unexpected end to the Current’s historic season, during which they had set records for points and wins.
Both teams faced significant challenges, competing without their star forwards. The Current were missing the league’s leading scorer, Temwa Chawinga, who was sidelined due to a hip injury. Chawinga had netted 15 goals during the regular season and was a key player for Kansas City. Gotham FC also played without forward Esther González, who had scored 13 goals this season but was affected by a hip problem.
Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw, who scored the opening goal in the 68th minute and assisted the game-winner, emphasized the team’s determination, stating, “We’re not an eighth-place team. I’m sorry, but underdog my a–. We are not an underdog.” Her performance was pivotal in securing the victory and setting up a semifinal clash against the No. 3 seed Orlando Pride, a matchup of the last two league champions.
The Current, who had dominated the regular season with a league-record 65 points and 21 wins, found themselves grappling with injuries. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski noted that if there had been any possibility for Chawinga to play, she would have been on the field. However, their medical staff advised against risking further injury.
The match unfolded dramatically, with Gotham controlling nearly 70% of possession in the first half, yet Kansas City had the better scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made crucial saves to keep Gotham in the game. Her performance would prove essential as the match progressed into extra time.
Shaw’s goal gave Gotham the lead, but Kansas City equalized in a dramatic fashion. In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, Current winger Ellie Wheeler scored, marking the latest equalizer in NWSL playoff history. This late goal pushed the match into extra time, where the tension intensified.
In a decisive moment, Shaw’s clever flick assisted Katie Stengel, who scored the game-winning goal in the 121st minute, sealing Gotham’s victory. Stengel’s journey has been notable; she returned to Gotham this summer after stints with other clubs and had previously scored an extra-time winner in Gotham’s march to the 2023 NWSL Championship.
Reflecting on the match, Stengel remarked, “It’s been so fun being a part of this club. I think just coming into this game, we all knew that we were going to give everything that we had.” Her enthusiasm encapsulated the spirit of a team determined to defy expectations.
The loss for Kansas City was particularly hard-fought, following a disappointing semifinal exit last season against the eventual champions, Orlando Pride. Andonovski expressed his ambition for the club, stating, “We’re not here to have one good season and go away. This club is gonna be here and we’ll make sure that we make a mark every season.”
As Gotham FC prepares for their semifinal against Orlando, the narrative of resilience and determination continues to unfold in the NWSL playoffs. With Shaw’s emergence and the team’s refusal to embrace the underdog label, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of the tournament.
