NJ/NY Gotham FC dispatches Chivas de Guadalajara and stays in the Summer Cup

NJ/NY Gotham FC took to the field with the mission of dispatching Chivas de Guadalajara and securing their place in the semifinals of the NWSL x LigaMX Summer Cup. And they did it masterfully, winning 3-0 in a match that had everything: goals, heroic defending and the debut of a new signing.

Katie Stengel was the name of the game, scoring twice. The first goal came in the 31st minute, after a precise cross from Ella Stevens, which Stengel capitalized on. It was the start of a gala evening. Gotham FC dominated possession and constructed their moves with patience and precision, a clear change from the more direct style seen in previous seasons. This strategic approach paid dividends, with the team leading the way in shots, possession and completed passes, highlighting the group's technical evolution.

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Goalkeeper Michelle Betos also had her moment to shine, making a crucial save in the 58th minute from a dangerous Chivas free-kick. It was an intervention that secured the lead and kept the opposition at bay. Soon after, the second goal came as a slap in the face to the critics. Stengel, in a move of pure opportunism, played a long ball to Stevens. The striker showed her skill by twisting around the defender, finishing with precision and extending the lead to 2-0. Stevens, by the way, had an inspired night, providing two assists and scoring her sixth goal of the season.

The icing on the cake came in the 71st minute, with Stengel rounding off the scoring in style. A quick combination down the right culminated in a perfect pass from Stevens into the area, where the player sent the ball into the back of the net with her first touch. It was a goal that sealed the victory and confirmed Gotham FC's superiority in the match.

New signing Jess Carter made her debut and didn't disappoint. Showing security in defense and adapting quickly to the pace of the NWSL, Carter proved that she will be a valuable addition for the rest of the season.

Coach Juan Carlos Amoros stressed the importance of international matches for the team's development. According to him, facing teams like Chivas de Guadalajara, who play with intensity and are tactically disciplined, only makes Gotham FC grow. He believes that this experience will be vital for future challenges, especially in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

"First of all, I thought it was a fantastic game. I think the atmosphere was great and finally playing at the Red Bull Arena again was great. It was a bit of a bloated start for soccer, I'd say because there were so many Chivas fans, so many of our fans, I think the atmosphere was fantastic. That in itself is worth it. There are a lot of people who, when these teams play, can see how many fans they can hold. It's fantastic. I hope they stay and get to know how we play and come back to us more. For us, it's super important as a team, as a club, to want to play against other countries to improve. I think, from my experience, it makes you a better coach, a better player and a better team. Plus, we're going to the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is already a lot of experience. We saw the Mexican teams play with fantastic intensity. They were very good tactically. They really gave us a game where we have to be on the ball to control and not fall into that transition game. There are a lot of different things that were positive about today's game and that definitely makes us better. In terms of player development, I think it's great for players who have the potential to be internationals at some point. Like Yazmeen Ryan and the players from last year who can go to international level. I think it's also something that could benefit them in the future," he concluded.

Ella Stevens also commented on the experience of playing against a new team outside the NWSL. For her, facing opponents with different styles is a constant learning experience, and the synergy with Katie Stengel was a particular highlight. Stevens mentioned how happy she was to see Stengel finally find the back of the net, something she deserved for her performances throughout the season.

"I think it's great whenever you play against a different team that you're not used to playing in your league. You get to see different things, and I think it was a lot of fun - watching them play when I wasn't around the ball defending. But it was hard to defend them too, they're very good on the ball, they play with a lot of style, they play a lot of one-touch and two-touch balls. It was a lot of fun playing with Katie. I think we play very similarly, so I can kind of read what she's trying to do. We think similarly with the ball, so I think it was great. I was really happy that she managed to score two today, because she could easily have scored a lot this season, but it's like she misses the target and that happens. So I'm very happy that she managed to score those and I hope she continues," said Stevens.

Gotham FC's next challenge will be against Angel City FC in the Summer Cup semifinals, and confidence is high. The team has been showing engaging and efficient soccer, and the fans can expect more strong emotions in the coming games.

This victory puts Gotham FC in a privileged position in the competition and shows that the team is ready to fight for titles. The combination of talent, strategy and determination seems to be the formula for success for the team from New York. With their place in the semifinals secured, all eyes now turn to the clash against Angel City FC. If Gotham FC keep up the same level of performance, there's no doubt that their fans will have plenty to cheer about in the coming weeks. And who knows, with a bit of luck and a lot of skill, the Summer Cup title could be within reach.