NY Gotham faces Orlando Pride in Chester PA and is looking for its first win on July 16th whereas Orlando is riding a seven-game unbeaten streak. Unfortunately for Gotham, that first win will have to wait as Orlando seated them by a score of 2-1.

There were no goals in the first half as both teams were creating chances and testing the waters. The first great opportunity for Orlando came in the fourth minute when a shot nearly went in the net but instead went off the post. Gotham started to create a little chaos for Erin McLeod in which they got her to scramble to release the ball but instead, a turnover was created that led to a goal attempt by Megan Montefusco but was saved. Gotham had a 2v1 advantage in the 40th minute which ended in a goal attempt but McLeod came out off her post to block that before it cross over in the box.  

A lot of confusion was going on on the Gotham side as Orlando came away with the goal thanks to Celia in the 49th minute. The play started with a cross that was then passed in the middle of the goal line but was missed. The ball eventually came out to the top of the Penalty Box which allow Celia to kick it in for a goal. The defense had no idea and that split second where you hesitate is all you need. Gotham would continue to seek a goal but each attempt proved unsuccessful until Kristie Mewis, who came on as a substitution in the second half, found the back of the net in the 75th minute. Her goal came from a cross by Nahomi Kawasumi. Unfortunately, that goal came after the Pride scored the second goal thanks to Ally Watt who took it in after Meggie Dougherty Howard fought for the ball to avoid the loss of possession. Watt would then sprint downfield and scored the goal on an angle and makes it in the bottom left-hand corner of the net. 

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Trey Madara]

Written by Wes Shepherd