Gotham FC, the eighth seed in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs, delivered a stunning upset by defeating the top-seeded Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time during the quarterfinal match on October 15, 2023. The victory at CPKC Stadium not only ended the Current’s impressive season but also showcased Gotham’s resilience despite missing key players.
Kansas City entered the match as the most dominant No. 1 seed in league history, having set records for points with 65 and wins with 21 during the regular season. They finished a remarkable 21 points ahead of the second-place team. In contrast, Gotham, the reigning Concacaf champions, faced significant challenges, including the absence of their star forward, Esther González, who scored 13 goals this season due to a hip injury.
Gotham’s forward Jaedyn Shaw made a decisive impact, scoring the first goal in the 68th minute and assisting on the game-winner in the 121st minute. “We’re not an eighth-place team,” Shaw declared emphatically after the match. “I’m sorry, but underdog my a–. We are not an underdog.” This victory will see Gotham face the No. 3 seed Orlando Pride in the semifinals, a rematch of the last two league champions.
Kansas City’s defense, which had only conceded 13 goals in 26 regular-season games, faced an uphill battle without their star forward Temwa Chawinga, the league’s top scorer with 15 goals. Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski noted the difficult decision to keep Chawinga off the field to avoid worsening her hip injury. Fellow forward Michelle Cooper also missed the match due to a foot injury.
Gotham’s head coach Juan Carlos Amoros faced his own challenges, as González remained on the bench, dressed in a puffer jacket, due to her ongoing hip issues. Despite these setbacks, Gotham demonstrated impressive control during the first half, holding nearly 70% of possession, yet it was Kansas City that had the best scoring chances.
Gotham’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger played a crucial role in the match, making significant saves to keep her team in contention. Kansas City’s Ally Sentnor and Nichelle Prince were both thwarted by Berger in the first half, with Prince’s two attempts being saved in quick succession.
Shaw’s breakthrough in the second half initially looked set to secure the match for Gotham. However, Kansas City equalized in dramatic fashion with a goal from Ellie Wheeler in the seventh minute of stoppage time, marking the latest equalizer in NWSL playoff history.
As the match moved into extra time, Shaw’s clever flick from a long free kick found Katie Stengel, who clinched the victory for Gotham with a confident shot off the underside of the crossbar. Stengel, who has a history of delivering in high-stakes matches, previously scored a game-winner in the 2023 semifinals, leading Gotham to their first NWSL Championship.
The Current’s exit from the playoffs comes after last year’s disappointing semifinal loss, leaving them eager to build for the future. “I’ve been saying this for two years: We’re not here to have one good season and go away,” Andonovski stated. “We’re here to stay. This club is gonna be here, and we’ll make sure that we make a mark every season.”
Gotham FC’s unexpected success serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where determination and teamwork can trump even the most formidable opponents. As they prepare for their semifinal clash with the Orlando Pride, Gotham will aim to continue their remarkable journey in this year’s NWSL playoffs.
