In a thrilling match at Red Bull Arena, Gotham FC secured a 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns to advance to the semifinals of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs. The defending NWSL champions will now face the second-seeded Washington Spirit in the upcoming weekend.
The game marked the final NWSL appearance for Thorns forward Christine Sinclair, who announced her retirement after an illustrious 12-season career with the club. Sinclair, a legend in women's soccer, leaves behind a remarkable legacy with the Thorns, having won multiple NWSL championships and setting records for goals scored.
Gotham FC, with a record-breaking attendance of 15,540 fans, showcased their dominance throughout the season, finishing with the third seed after a commendable 17-4-5 record. On the other hand, the Thorns secured the eighth and final seed after a challenging stretch but displayed resilience in their final regular-season victory over Angel City.
The match saw intense moments, including a disallowed goal by Sophia Smith due to offside and a controversial video review for a potential handball by Portland defender Becky Sauerbrunn. Ultimately, Gotham was not awarded a penalty, maintaining the intensity of the game.
Tierna Davidson opened the scoring for Gotham with her first goal of the season in the 67th minute, followed by a quick response from Portland's rookie Reilyn Turner, who leveled the score with a header off a set piece. As the game approached stoppage time, Rose Lavelle emerged as the hero for Gotham, netting the winning goal in the dying moments to secure their spot in the semifinals.
The NWSL playoffs continue with the Orlando Pride, the top seed and Shield winners, set to face the Kansas City Current in the other semifinal matchup. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the season, with the NWSL championship scheduled to take place on November 23 at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium.
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