NWSL 2024. NJ/NY Gotham FC vs Houston Dash (Sep 8)

[Music] the beautiful game is back as nwsl action returns to the vibrant New Jersey New York area from Red Bull Arena in Harrison New Jersey fourth place Gotham FC hosts the struggling Rock Bottom Houston Dash alongside former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey I'm Jessica charman and Gary this matchup vital for both these teams in very different ways oh absolutely for Houston Dash is just to try and get a win try and get three points they've had one goal in their last seven matches so scoring hasn't been their strong point and look at Gotham they having goals there the German women's footballer of the year and and Kine berer they have more than half the USA Olympic gold medal winning team so it's a massive massive task here today for Houston Dash Houston Dash you mentioned just three wins on the season sitting at the bottom 14th Place let's take a look at those nwsl standings right now as we close towards playoff season you'll get a look at today's homeside Gotham FC fourth in the table 10 wins but only four point shy of climbing third to really challenge Kansas City current yeah and you would expect them to win today at home Gotham I'm not saying it's going to be easy but against a team who has struggled and they've lost their last three or so they haven't scored for so long until the last match against Utah and they still lost that and if they did get a win Gotham 37 points just a point behind Kansas City current and of course top four gives you those home playoff births as well so you want to get as high as possible the dash have scored just 12 goals this season acting head coach Ricky Clark has talked about wanting to be brave today Gary but how can they do that they're just going to have to try and attack get high balls to Odon up front which is one of the changes they've made but it's going to be a a massive ask because you got to stop Gotham getting at you and do they have a well organized and stacked team the homeside fourth place Gotham FC taking on Rock Bottom Houston Dash shortly here from Red bll Arena Jessica charman Gary Bailey here with you for all of the action kickoff coming up shortly on NW L Arena home of Gotham FC today's visitors the Houston Dash will line up like this for acting head coach Ricky Clark what do you see about the lineup selection from Ricky Clark today Gary Bailey well three changes to the side that were beaten by Utah in the last outing Jalissa Harris comes in in defense Natalie Jacobs drops to the bench Punam Sarah pun in Midfield for ER rubinson who also goes to the bench and then Diana odones is back as that main target Striker their top scorer back in the team Barbara oliviera has a yellow card accumulation so she is not available there so it's a it's a team where they're going to rely very much on number 11 Michelle aloia on the left and Avery Patterson on the right to try and bomb forward down those wide positions and get crosses in for Diana oron you mentioned odones four goals on the season no other player for the dash has scored multiple goals this season that's an area of concern for Houston who have just 12 goals total across the entire nwsl regular season for the home side Gotham FC Juan Carlos amoros has set up his side in this way Gary what do you like about Gotham FC's lineup well firstly two changes to the team that were beaten in Orlando last week Katy stangle coming in for Ros LEL who's injured and as stair leads the line Ellis Stevens also injured not sure if Katy Stinger will be the attacking mid or yasman Ryan those two positions might swap but Crystal done down that rightand side and then virtually the entire USA back for with the exception of England's Jess Carter and we mentioned Germany's female Player of the Year in an Katrine Berger and Delany Sheen and Neely Martin do a good job there as the sort of number six just blocking any Counterattack so it's just a very well balanced well organized Gotham side Olympic is just scattered around that back line for Gotham FC they will look for another good defensive performance just conceding 15 goals across the entire season so far referee in the middle Joshua en carason fourth match in nwsl this year has given away two penalties but just 1.7 yellow cards a game we'll see how the referee plays into this game V if needed will be Kevin Broadley today as we take a glance at acting head coach Ricky Clark for the dash and boy is he just trying to make something happen for this Dash side they'll set up in the blue from left to right on your screen Gotham FC in the all black from right to left we'll start with a Houston Dash kickoff Diana odones stands over that ball all right crowd getting ready at Red Ball Arena lovely Sunday afternoon kickoff that has drawn a lot of young fans to watch their favorite players on the field of action referee will check that his officials are ready a blur of the whistle and we are underway from Red Ball Arena as the Houston Dash search somewhere for some look of Hope in a season that has truly been a struggle Jess Carter will get her first touches on the ball in her third match for Gotham FC since making the journey across the pond the will recycle through their back line tarani back to Jane campbelling goal and former goalkeepers here both of us Gary have to touch on Jane Campbell how difficult is it for a goalkeeper to concede so many goals this season but not be to blame in many of them such an important part of the backline for the dash here she made six saves just against Utah alone she leads the league with 90 saves and yeah it is tough uh but if you're making good saves at least you get noticed it doesn't do your resume very good when you concede a whole ton of goals and funny enough last season they were the best defensive side in the entire league so it's been a change under initial coach Fran Alonso who we still waiting we told is illness and so there's an acting coach in Ricky Clark but under F Alonso he tried to be a little bit more positive and unfortunately it didn't quite work out for him Tani just draws that foul six foot Brazilian Defender just 21 years of age making her eighth start in nwsl she's a player that everybody in the league is very excited about wonderful talent and success with Brazil of course in the Olympics in fact Olympic Stars scattered absolutely everywhere in terms of of gold and silver for Tani in Brazil and bronze for Burger in Germany and of course all the golds for the USA players on this wonderful Gotham side full representation of the entire Podium at the 2024 Olympics Games Gotham will take this throw and down the line it's cleaned up well by the dash little bit of pressure Gotham will control great work by Crystal D to start that one through Carter this is what they do so well possession based Team every player in the the pitch knows their job works hard they link extremely well haven't conceded a goal at home in the last three matches so again the task for Houston Dash to stop them from scoring and to try and score against Gotham it's tough from both ends of the pitch as we mentioned Houston Dash the worst offense in the the league with just 12 goals as a cross in is headed [Music] away be a big task for Houston to break down a defense that has not conceded a goal at home for those three consecutive games searching for a [Music] fourth nice swonger plays it up to stangle Sangle has two gets round both crosses it in it's cleared away Big Challenge as the dash look to try and connect waywood pass Carter will get it to Dun and she'll launch It Forward instantly Crystal Dunn outside the 18 has options inside squares the pass Martin to Carter driven ball Campbell will come to claim good pressure from the home side there you can see Houston Dash back in there third of the pitch as Lyn Williams looks on top goal scorer in nwsl history of course Olympic gold medalist as well not bad when you can bring that sort of player Off the Bench it just gives you a sense of the strength in depth that Gotham have fir power off of the bench with Lynn Williams should be a great tool to be utilized later in the game for Gotham FC first touch for an Catherine Burger in goal composed pass as expected she has something to prove Burger not that she's not a fantastic goalkeeper but last match against Orlando Pride came for a punch early on didn't connect ball dropped for Adriana and they were one- n down so a little error from a goalkeeper who normally is absolutely top class so she'll be wanting to bounce back here today Shihan with some good strength threads the pass but again Houston dealing with those through balls well so far over the course of five minutes Patterson an exciting rookie get it across to andresa has Patterson on the overlap instead goes herself and starts it back with her back line Avery Patterson a player that her coaching staff were full of Praise rookie year a tough one but she's done well looier to the by line drives it in deflex off of Carter just couldn't sort her feet to clear it away and our first corner of the game will come for the Houston Dash these are the chances Houston Dash have to take with Dano odones have got a wonderful number nine great height good header of the ball I don't think they're going to get a lot of chances of goal in this match it' be very unlikely anyway so when they do come along M needs to put a good ball right into the danger area and there is odones at the near post Dash did have the ball in the back of the net against Utah from a corner was pulled back later on for being offside Yuki spins it in Burger gets a hand to Flap it away Mr Gonzalez on defensive duties as Berger taking some risk playing that one across the line to Sonet Sonet flustered able to knock it off of the pressure but a shaky moment in the back line for Gotham FC yeah I think you're right it was very risky there Anor burgus is a yard or two off a line any toe pooke there from odones that go into an empty net they are renowned for being able to play the ball around and play it with confidence just once in a while if the risk is too much always feel you should just boot it up the pitch about that balance of the risk and the reward and not taking too many risks as odones couldn't make that pass through from Yuki stick atmospher Red Bull Arena cracking right now can hear the drums blazing and Gotham FC have certainly given their fans something to cheer about this year on the verge of one and a half million fans for this season that really is a good turnout in New Jersey for this team Jane Campbell will get the ball back at her feet the captain tough time to be a captain but Jane Campbell one of the most experienced players on this team a great leader in the locker room to settle the ship caran start back with Campbell and for the dash right now Gary just touches to build confidence trying to keep possession away from Gotham yeah absolutely and try and create chances at the other end this is where they they've really battled a create chances and B to take them if you look at their expected goal over the last three matches it's 4.4 in that time they've scored just once so creating chances against Gotham is very difficult even orando Pride struggled last week it's a long ball over the top searching for Gonzalez she takes it down lays It Wide controlled by D cutting back still looking for an angle well defended by Alon there driven ball towards Gonzalez she'll head it down wide put the apologetic hand up there nose she probably should have done better open inside the 18 yeah it's a header that really has to hit Target and if you can't hit Target Chester down and have a volley decent ball in she's got a bit of space there as well she'd lost her marker the head comes off comes off the head so skims off the side of her head doesn't hit Square on but even there would have to have been a good header to have beaten the keeper I just wonder if a a jump chest movement and then a volum might have been a better option for a St by the way as good a player as she is she's not guaranteed a stop with Lyn Williams on the bench Rosel not available she's still got to come back in the team so you really have to perform well to keep your place in this Gotham side Gonzalez touches It Forward one on one into the back of the net for Yas Meine Ryan just like that EST with the touch and Yasmine Ryan threw on goal for goal number three of the Season Gotham lead that's the quality of this Gotham side they win the header in Midfield they win the next ball the touch on and Defenders out of position and yasman Ry just absolutely makes them pay the penalty for not staying close tosani there just coming towards the ball it's it's dragged into the action and allows Yasmin Ryan to go free but there were two headers one by that there's a flick on from his there so this isn't just Yasmin Ryan finishing it's a whole team effort and that's why they are the reigning Champions they get you in so many different ways nothing Jane Campbell could do about that Jasmin Ryan still had a lot of work to do settled it nicely drove onto frame and then toe poked it pass the onrushing Campbell and in the 10th minute Gotham FC with the lead oon all eyes on odones as she looks to get things started quickly to andresa her pass couldn't quite find Patterson but recovering with possession are the dash Far Side alonz spin in the cross headed and blocked away foul called Diana oron caught with the foul the problem now for the Houston Dash now that they're one nil down that's the worst position to be in they were hoping to keep it tight maybe create something themselves and just that Gotham give you very little even against orando Pride the best team in the nwsl the season they only allowed them a 65 expected goal they had a better expected goal than the leaders unfortunately for them there were just two moments of of Brilliance from Orlando Pride that saw goals hit the back of the net from Adriana so if the if the the team that's top can only get 65 expector goals you really don't think Houston Dash will get many chances here today and already One n down and both those goals for the Orlando Pride score within the first 20 minutes of the game shielding it out of play are Gotham for a goal kick Burger will take you're an acting head coach Ricky Clark when we chatted to him was saying how how hurt he was by the Utah RS defeat at home they obviously thought they could get a result of all the teams the struggling Utah RS was the one team they thought they could beat they ended up losing 3-1 great pass into the box is Yuki Yuki cuts it back off of a Gotham boot Carter swipes it away No Nonsense stangle will control to EST Counterattack looking to break now for Gotham cter will just slow things down good little moment there for Houston Dash Yi getting the ball into a dangerous area need to do more of that Houston and then maybe they will get some reward for their trouble don't want to get punished here though Crystal done on the ball tries to find an overlap can she get on the end of it Carter just didn't have the legs to get there ran out of real estate just back to that Houston Dash what they have to do to get back in this game Ricky Clark acting head coach saying we gave the ball away too easily we've got to find ways of winning we don't have to always play great football sometimes we'll need to be more direct so he's changing the philosophy from Fran Alonzo who was in charge early on in the season and I think we'll see a lot more of those balls knocked long and high to Dio odones we also talk about the importance of Michelle aloner and Avery Patterson at trying to win their duels and Pace battles with the fullbacks so far haven't seen enough of Avery Patterson in particular tarani tried to find Patterson there but an under hit pass up towards Gonzalez Ester Gonzalez just dancing through the back line just watching EST play Gary So Graceful in the way that she moves with the ball yeah lovely lovely player in terms of the technique technical ability but Lyn Williams has the driving power and the shots that I mean she's normally the First Choice stangle crosses back post Campbell punches away Jan Campbell called into action already a couple of times as nice swonger gets it back assesses plays inside CAU in possession though as Ryan look to find dun and andessa just trying to allow the dash a moment to breathe with the [Applause] ball volume has gone up several decibels since that 10th minute goal from Yasmine Ryan Gotham FC fans would love a repeat of the 2023 nwsl Championship yeah I think Houston Dash would love a repeat of the 2023 match against Gotham in this ground because they actually won It 2-0 Against All Odds and one colos amaros just saying that that match they had a 98% chance of winning or something he said they had 30 shots to the two of you on dash and they lost at 2-0 he said I hope it doesn't happen again well so far so good for amaros oron with her first strike of the game just too close to burer High Press though from the dash and that one will go out for a corner and Amar Ro's eyes have to be popping out his head there because defensively that's a gift yeah done well Houston Dash really have put some pressure on around that goal we've seen burer there once or twice have to try and clear it under pressure and that maybe is the way they want to play this try and do that High Press when it's on see if they can force the error from Gotham and Jessa will be tasked with the corner has Yuki as a short option andessa in swinging towards the edge of the six burer with the punch that's a better punch from the German goalkeeper than in the last match against Orlando Pride this time she connects gets a clear of danger hit pass will be cleaned up by the dash in as a former goalkeeper those are the things that you really want to improve on game over game Patterson couple of Step overs into the 18 crosses it back and just like that the dash have The Equalizer it's oon with the header who else but the Dash's leading scorer her fifth of the game a point blank header bulleted into the net this is exactly how they wanted a play Patterson down the right service in looking for Adon left unmarked at the far post question marks may be for Jess Carter there coming in a little bit too much and leaving Odon free she gets that header without any pressure whatsoever and Tucks away and that's exactly why odones was brought back that's what they were trying to do and they've done it they are back in this game Houston Dash oon still had a lot to do had to stoop down her lanky frame to be able to connect and does so with the power to thwart and cine Burger in goal just eight minutes between the goals here as the dash handed a lifeline and after no goals in six games have a goal in each of the last two wow for most teams it wouldn't be good but when you haven't scored in six I guess even one goal a game sounds great can they make it to Avery Patterson just two straight in the strike towards burger that is a good chance it really is a chance to have stuck something in the far corner and gone 2 one up and all of a sudden from looking so comfortable Gotham on the back foot there Ricky Clarks got to be happy with that but again you're not going to get that many chances you would think against Gotham and Patterson there was a tame shot in the end should have done better but full credit to Ricky Clark who mentioned thinking Patterson could be a key to unlock down this right hand flank and it was her service into oron that really helped break down a solid Gotham defensive line ukuk that's a good point you make because yes he's got joy there and the other place he said he could get joy against amaro's side was against the right back Jess Carter and she was the one who left oona's free at the far post so both fullbacks he picked out as vulnerable and so far they have got joy against both those fullbacks have Houston Dash got to think for Jess Carter to The Growing Pains of coming into a new team just third performance for this Gotham side after crossing the pond to Chelsea and even a player of her caliber it's a big difference to step in across the pond nwsl growing pains in a new team oh absolutely NE never easy to move anywhere as a professional player it does take time to settle in and certainly not blaming her for the goal was a lovely cross it's just that had she been a bit tighter to Adon she could have maybe blocked the header Don's had to bend down to make that contact so but you know what it happens you get on with the game if if they win three or four1 gotth them it won't be mentioned again if they lose then unfortunately J C will have to explain her actions tarani was down on the ground after that challenge still down behind the Run of play Gotham will continue though see if she is now back to her feet mention needing a Goldfish Memory Jess Carter an experienced Pro will need to make sure that she doesn't let that error dwell too much on her conscience Sonet looking long going short Carter chips the ball forward Taran will clear that one up into the sky just stay in play on the touch line done High Press Keeps The Possession EST blocked away and out for a Gotham FC Cor Corner Gotham in the previous three home matches hadn't conceded that was the longest to the only time in fact it goth them history they've gone three home games without conceding that run of course has come to an end but they still don't give many away 15 goals conceded in 18 second best in the league can Houston Dash do what they did last year in surprise gotth them on their home turf corner will be taken short son it far side cut back strike into the defender and Taran body on the line to block that one away because the strike from Delany Shan had Venom certainly did good pull back here from Ryan it's only about six yards out so was a great block from tarani Brave one as well cross back in tarani again with the flicked on header goal kick given oh credit Houston Dash early on they're they're fighting defensively winning the balls that they can the 50/50s they've got the goal had a few chances against a very tight Gotham defense wouldn't think they were sitting bottom of the table by the way they've played in this first quarter of the match they've certainly had the passion that we'll have acting head coach Ricky Clark happy they're competing and they're following a clear game plan as a bit of a giveaway offside flag will be raised here is acting head coach Ricky Clark he's got a big task on his hands coach who was formerly with Seattle rain also an assistant at Georgia State University so to be the the main person now not just be helping out it's a big change in pressure a chance for him to show what he can do nice wer down the flank to stangle stangle searching has to start it back with nice swanger Jenna nice swanger swings in across off of the head of Taran Michelle aloner tried to break forward but defended really well slowed down [Music] Yuki great looking switch across to Patterson Patterson with a little space then closed down by ni swonger you can see very clearly that aloner and Patterson a points that this Dash side really want to try and play through and ESP special Michelle elier she's quick down that left hand side she's got that pace so as they've seen on the right hand side with Patterson is also quick you want to get those balls those wide players as often as you can turning is Gonzalez she'll take a hit straight into the hands of Jane Campbell in goal yeah wasn't too much power on that Jane Campbell comfortably bringing that down it's there trying to impress as we said earlier it's a battle against Lynn Williams of all people for that main strikker role so she's going to have to do a good job here unfortunately for her been injured she started off the season very well had a couple of goals in the first few games picked up injuries so it hasn't been the easiest of seasons for EST two goals to assists this her 14th game played in regular season son it will send it long to us there good strength and a bit of a size mismatch with def and tarani so just appealed to the referee that maybe there was a bit of contact yet she came out with the ball chested the D great and laid it off there she spins again to Sangle shean and nice wer weighted pass tily done cut up into the air by dun and into the hands of Campbell at her near post that's where they're so good Gotham and nice Wonga some criticism for her defensive ability but going forward such a clever player finds Crystal done between n wonger and dun that cred little half chance there on that left hand side I love the body shape shaping up to cross it in and then playing the ground ball instead so I was just going to say they've had a few long balls haven't they Houston Dash knocked High playing that more direct role that Ricky Clark said they would do probably just need to get a little better on recovering those second balls when they do play it long though yeah absolutely that's the big battle to pick up those loose BS even here it's a fairly High Press from a team sitting bottom of the table against the Champions they really are going punch for punch Houston Dash joshu andion CL the whistle Avery patson had a cheeky little nutmeg on Katie stangle and then stangle pulls her [Applause] down ay Patterson there with that nutmeg and you just see a little bit of a drag there again set pieces for Houston Dash aiming for adones that's got to be not just Odon tosani is going up as well some real good height from set pieces for Houston Dash and Jessa stands over the free Kick the on the edge of the 18 right now see where she Pockets this ball piece is so important for a team struggling with offense and Jessa too close to an Catherine Burger yeah it's not a good free kick is it You' got to keep it away from the goalkeeper you pushed all your big players up your tall players you want to make sure they have a chance to fight for something that's just giving away possession unfortunately for Houston Dash and you've already seen how aggressive and cine burer can be off of her line you've got to keep it further away from the goalkeeper nice wer to stangle gets around Patterson stangle puts in the cross back healed still alive and Innovative as ever by eser trying the back here and it wasn't too far away from the back post a brilliant move here from Gotham stangle just looking for an opportunity to cross the ball just gets a yard on her defender puts it in the near post but that touch from M there absolutely brilliant you have to be so accurate with that touch and it hits the poe so close and it doesn't come back to Crystal done it goes past us so that Fleck on was just stunning and then and Crystal D just can't get it off the post here so let off for Houston Dash you see it kissed the post off of the back hill just wouldn't sit for a tap in for Crystal dun inches away from a Gotham leading goal in the 29th minute nice wer down to stangle again look dangerous on this left hand flank pson plays inside to andresa andresa pressed by two out for a Gotham throw stangle to D who's in an offside position Crystal Dunn has a lot of freedom in this forward line you see her popping up all over the pitch Gary yeah such an experienced player wonderful player over the years Crystal dun 32 years of age now 155 caps for the USA and I think you deserve the right to float around a little bit there and just in terms of formation Katy stangle we set up front we weren't sure if she would play attacking mid and yasman rard left in F it's been Sangle left risky yasman Ryan playing through the middle es there almost had a gift in front of frame the dash shaky with that back pass as they try to pick the pocket Jane Campbell able to recover ever since they went one n up and then there was a chance for Avery Patterson where they could have gone ahead it's been all the home side putting balls in dangerous areas asking questions and threatening to get their lead back so was work for Houston Dash to do and for Ricky Clark as he takes some notes put the ball in the back of the net is what he just wrote [Applause] down sounds easy but it has not been so for the dash this season 13 goal scored one coming of course today from their leading scorer [Applause] oon trying to High Press Tiana Davidson she'll handle that gracefully seeing such energy from odones though leading that press for the dash lots of light blue shirt in the Gotham half of the pitch so they are going sort of Toe to Toe with Gotham in terms of putting the high press on them saying can you break us down can you play through our lines but when they do like this then they're in trouble breaking forward a goth and big challenge by Taran she'll stay down fans don't like it but tan perhaps caught a little late by the challenge of Delan Shian hope it's not a serious one but it seems to be in a lot of pain it was a full full contact between the two players Len Shi just overruns us a touch here is going to stretch for the ball there she says she was being tugged and pulled which she was a little bit to be fair you can see Sophie Schmidt there just pulling her on her arm so she is claiming and and again to be fair she does get to the ball first Delany sh and then follows through onani so the foul could go either way here depends how the fre sees it he does give the yellow card to shean feels a little harsh based on that replay we've just seen Gary and the fact that she's won the ball and then the contact of them both coming together yeah there certainly is an argument for the fou to have been given before the contact happened but from a referee's point of view it's the danger element the carelessness in fact the the referees say if it's careless it's a warning if it's Reckless it's a yellow card and she got the yellow because I assume it's either for the tackle or maybe it's something she said we are hearing from our producer that it's most likely a yellow card for descent we know that referees are able to use those cards to make sure they keep players appropriate in the way they address referees has allowed a hydration break of sorts for both benches as they head over to their coaching staff for hydration and education what are these two head coaches talking to their teams about right now Gary Well Ricky clar going to be the most excited of the two although he's obviously worried about tan it looks like she really has taken a bad knock but he'll be saying to them just keep that WID from Michelle alier on the one side and Avery Patterson on the other he'll be saying look I told you if you have a go Gotham you might get some reward and we've got it already problem is though that Gotham on the other end you High Press there they will play into those spaces with Crystal D on the one side and Yasmin Ryan and Katy stangle they will find gaps and they have been doing that for the last 10 minutes tough watch tarani right now gingerly walking off of the pitch you don't think judging by the body language is going to make it back on and they're probably looking at the bench already to decide who they can replace her with we got Natalie Jacobs would be probably the most logical Choice you're still having a conversation with both the coaching staff and the training we see if it's more of a dead leg or cramp or something more Sinister they don't want to rush this up because obviously Tarana is such a key player to this dashback line absolutely but when you've taken them knock that hard it's very difficult to get back into the game and then start tackling all over again but that's the the mental toughness required at this level of women's football actually saw something similar last night with o s coming back into the action with the spirit but was only able to continue for three or so minutes so sometimes it can be smarter to make that sub versus risking making an injury worse right now temporarily the dash have not made that substitution so playing down a player Tani is heading back to the halfway line and will look to get wav back into action but 10v 11 right now in favor of Gotham FC she has now been waved into the play we're back at 11 a piece running fairly freely as of now yeah it's a tough player to take those sort of knocks and she was in so much pain initially and just to shut your mind off that obviously it can't be something structural it's just going to be a painful thing you have to overcome if it's structural then you don't go back on but let just watch the next few minutes and see how she fares nice wer defended by Patterson Patterson wins that duel looped forward chested down a pop pass searching for nice SW and Patterson again on the defensive caran knocks that one long and looks like she is okay with that clean contact that's good news for Ricky Clark Tani can stay on they do have options on the bench but he such a good player at the back good on the feet and at that height the ability to come and win set [Applause] pieces halfhearted appeals for foul but Gotham will continue play Carter controls looks ahead Ops to go backwards Chi forwards physical challenge is Yas Meine Ryan shoulder Tosh shoulder withas nothing given to me that was aair coming together and again shows you how good is as a center back typical Brazilian fashion so good playing the ball with her feet and his massive physical presence as well I think that's the part about it she's 6' tall so everything's always going to look a little stronger when she comes into those Jewels against smaller players yeah there was a fair shoulder toh shoulder sometimes it's shoulder into back and that can get you into trouble that was within the rules risky player again from Jane Campbell far in mouth but Jane Campbell trusts her players in front as she distributes and now they look to break through the lines it's Yuki on this left hand flank little stab Away by Jess Carter loer will take the throw in instead eloia into the boots of Odon Don has that goal in the 18th minute but sees us sat in a 1-1 draw closing in on the end of regulation in the first half of a giveaway by Gotham lackluster in possession as Harris connects well done to find Patterson nice swonger wins that Jewel it's going to be an interesting afternoon watching nice swonger and Patterson battle loia just looking at Gotham they also drop a lot of players back when they defend they tend to go into a low block you see every player in their own half stairs just gone over the halfway line tosani saying hang in a second is that a foul minutes after she shouldered Jasmine Ryan to the ground so is not making too many friends in Red Bull Arena but she'll say she's not here to make friends she's a sort of player that enjoys some of the banter with the fans we'll see what she was asking about herin well Fen actually on second thought she's got a point cuz the ball had already gone just look at her facial expressions like excuse me Esther yeah that is a that is a yellow card well sorry it's it's a free kick and a potential Yellow Card contact off the bed LIF so tarani had every right to appeal there see what happens next time EST and tarani come together on the [Applause] pitch so searching ball looking for nice swonger is over hit was a 10th minute goal from Yas Ryan that put Gotham FC ahead the dash though battling back 17th minute goal from Diana oron The Equalizer it's a battle between 14th in the dash and the fourth place seed right now in Gotham FC come together at Red bll Arena Gotham we were saying earlier don't give you much this is only the third time this season that Gotham have conceded in the first half they generally are so so tight in those first 45 minutes then they begin to open up a bit more so again credit to Houston Dash for being as positive look at this again another High Press reaps reward Schmidt this time with the Touch Away she'll reset with punham alier spins in that cross over hits it a little but the high press of Odon forces the error in the clearance B's actually stayed in some way trickling on that touch line nice one pulled back by Avery Patterson for the free H she's she's claiming it's a yellow card now Wonga which it often is if it's a clear tug back let's see no it's just a touch there's no full-on tug which would normally earn a yellow card Nia knows exactly what she's doing there drawing that foul felt a little contact and it's rightly a free kick but not enough for the yellow sonnet to Carter out for a throw in the defensive duties by elier it's that battle again between Taran and Esther and Taran with a nose bleeding run forward on that left hand touch line you talk about influential players in a team I would always have thought diano odones was the most influential for Houston Dash because of the goals she can score but I'm looking at the back and Tani really impressive here today and Sh could be is a natural leader of the team and a player who could go on to give many great years of service for Houston Dash if they can hold on to her that's what's so exciting about tarani just 21 years old so much growth to be had in her [Applause] career jissa Harris will send this one back where it came fromon is able to draw the foul Jenna nicewonger wonders what could she have done there dresser and nice Wong coming together with that Clash there nice Wong had her hands full you mentioned it early on that they were going to Target her on this left hand side and she's had a busy first half as the USA Women's National team player really through this first half you could not tell that these teams were separated by 10 places in the standings absolutely not this is turning out to be a tougher match for one caros amaros and he probably thought well it' be fair to him he said nothing's easy in these leagues every team has got good players and is capable of giving you problems back hill to Patterson Patterson shaping up for the cross does so chested that one down but couldn't connect beautiful Touch by tarani just so special with that touch but giving the referee a bit of an ear fall alier Square pass to Schmidt priz of let's go Gotham Echo out around Red Bull Arena trying to urge this side to one more opportunity before the halim break but it's the dash with possession right now through [Applause] alier losier gets it back she's chopped down down Crystal D apologizes free kick maybe this is a chance before halim to knock a long ball he talked about being direct Ricky Clark aim for adones I don't know if they're going to do that or just try and keep possession going into halime but let's wait and see if they follow the coaches the acting coaches advice they play it down the line start things back and it turns into a throw and probably not the right decision there for the dash as we see five minutes of stoppage time in the first half obviously the injury for Taran probably a big contributor to that absolutely but you're right though there a chance to knock a ball high into the box and ask questions not taken back hill though into Yuki important stab Away by Emily sonnet be a throw in right by the corner flag losier shaping up like she's going to launch this one into the 18 seeing tarani come up into the 18 that is quite the target lingering around the sixy Box she'll throw it short though to Yuki elier has B he in the Box can she get round the defense alier couldn't get enough cut back on the cross again I'm frustrated on on Houston Dash's behalf there chance to get the ball in just whip it straight in throw and then whip it in instead of they playing around Yuki's trying to find a certain angle when the ball does get knocked back in it's of Target straight for for a goal kick that's in the last sort of two or three minutes two chances to put pressure with high balls on the Gotham defense and those chances not taken by the Houston Dash I'm tarani as well I'm frustrated I've ran full field to get into that box and have to run all the way back exactly and yet having said all that if You' have said to Ricky Clark the thought of this match halim you'd be 1-1 he would have snapped your hand off because it's exactly where he wants to be hold your breath almost an opportunity for Gotham FC as Katy stangle can't get on the end of it goal kick for the dash but I think you're right Gary Ricky Clark coming into this one obviously as a acting head coach you're always talking positively but 1-1 is a very respectable score line right now against a side like Gotham FC particularly in their home building yeah absolutely well as as mentioned three straight wins and and conceded here for those three games as well so teams well above Houston Dash have come here and got nothing and at this moment it's not just that the equal goals they've matched them in terms of high presses they've matched them in terms of sort of getting balls into the box more or less it's a really impressive performance much better than the match against Utah rolls at home last week they've had three shots all three on target so they're definitely converting opportunities just need to try and put them either side of an CN burger burger has not been tested enough from those three shooting opportunities by the goal the flip side another defensive mishap and Catherine Burger is furious with Jenna ner right now the pass gave her nothing to work with and instead the dash have a corner kick right at the death of this half and Jessa needs to get this service right absolutely hasn't been enough good quality coming in and dressa now's got to find either Tani or oron in that box the number 10 can put quality in who knows whether they can go ahead in the final moments of the first half and Jessa will swing it in closest to it was tarani referee will call the foul and a yellow card will be flashed at the Brazilian Defender big call to show the yellow C because that's going to affect tarani for the rest of the match playing in the back line on a yellow yeah she can't believe it I think she's saying it was a fair a fair ball to challenge for let's have a look at it again perhaps and see if we can see if there's contact or whether she left an arm there I think the Ry is just aware there's been stuff going on between tarani and the others and he maybe thinks this is payback was a touch late wasn't it have a look here the ball is cleared and then there's contact so yeah I you know what head to-head I think that's a yellow card and the word you used was Reckless for a yellow card and it doesn't feel like that had control in that moment Tiana Davidson heads that away several seconds before the contact comes in from behind so a reckless challenge se's a yellow card for tarani who must now be careful what she says to the referee because she's getting a bit verbal there I think once you're on a yellow you don't have much leeway so just take it get in the locker room calm down relax a bit and making sure the concussion protocols there for Davidson Tiana Davidson so important to this back line the gold medalist with the US Women's National Team and Captain Gotham Messi would just love to get her to halim and make sure she's okay after the break we are past the 5 minutes of stoppage time so at the referee Joshua and C nans whistle you do you do sense with t Sonic is a very passionate player as all Brazilians are wonderfully talented as almost all Brazilians are but you don't want it to overflow in the second half she's got to keep control of that passion and emotion and make sure she doesn't do anything to get sent off because she is clearly a massive part of Ricky Clark's defense here and they can't do without her I think we heard acting head coach Ricky clock tell us that but she plays with her heart on the sleeve sometimes a little bit too much that'll have to be reeled in in the second half of play here from Red Bull Arena he was talking about some of the tackles she makes in training a little bit [Music] tasty 50/50 it's cleared away but the dash recover sending it Forward Sonic will control blocked straight into the path of alier loer shielded by Carter on the by line looking for an angle recycles crossed into the box headed up and away Shinn by Davidson strike from distance tarani said I'll go myself and Strikes it first time and that will be the last of the action in the first half here from Red Bull Arena 1-1 the score line between Gotham FC and Houston Dash Gary break down those first 45 it's been a very good first 45 for Houston Dash I think Gotham realized they're in a real battle here oron is coming back in the side is the right decision by Ricky Clark because she has caused problems she's been a focal point of the service in there tosani has been fighting in the back as well and of No Doubt the Gotham players when they sit down they will realize they got a lot of work to do if they want to keep their good home record going a lot of work to do and we've got a lot of break breaking down in the halftime break to do we'll be back after this short break stick and stay with nwsl action where Gotham FC are tied at the halim break with the Houston Dash Jessica charman alongside former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey we want to take a peek around the league at everything else that has occurred this weekend and is still to come as we get a glance at the action Gary around the League what stands out to you right now on the weekend scores well Seattle rain winning at angel City first because that loss for Angel City means Orlando Pride qualified the very first team to qualify for the playoffs I think at Seattle's third win in a row incredible run and they might still make it to the playoffs Portland Thorns are dropping down the table at an alarming rate so to racing Louisville who are now well out of the playoff race they need to turn things around Utah RS is losing 1 nil they've they've certainly improved in recent times and of course tonight San Diego wave North Car courage it's the big farewell to one of the greatest of all time in Alex Morgan Alex Morgan will have her final action as a player announcing her retirement and pregnancy this week so all eyes on that 8:00 pm Eastern matchup between the San Diego wave and North Carolina courage as we say goodbye to an absolute icon in Alex Morgan when we come back from this break we'll have a look at how it happened to be in this halftime score line of Gotham FC 1 and houston-1 we'll be back right after this short break nwsl action charman alongside Gary Bailey let's take a peek at how we got here with the score line Gary yeah it's been exciting moments from both sides and early on Gotham were putting some pressure on Lovely little ball from a stair to Yasmin Ryan she gets past Tani there and just tucks it into the back of the net but it was two headers one there's the second of those two headers there's the touch tosani just sort of was dragged in to try and and close a stair but a stair brilliantly just Flex the ball onto Yasmin Ryan and there you go just puts it past Jane Campbell for the lead brilliant finish by Ryan there but you have to wonder was tarani caught B watching a tad bit in that moment got Messi elated but it wouldn't be long before they felt deflated yes at the far post there the one player we always thought would be a danger di or Don and it wasn't to much a high cuz she had to actually bend down to head the ball unmarked at the far post it was Avery Patterson who puts the ball in and there she goes she puts her head down and just flicks it there goalkeeper almost gets a hand to it Burger have a look at her hand comes across but just the pace of the ball just beats the German goalkeeper now we're back on level terms really really good header had to put it in that spot after that though opportunities for Gotham FC Katy singled as well just to open up a gap gets the ball in here what a touch at the near post from M it nearly comes to Crystal done to tap in at the far post lovely little moment of skill firstly from ktie stangle and then from a stair the neutral just wants that one to find the back of the net but it was not meant to be 1-1 through the first 45 minutes of play from Red Bull Arena we'll see in the second 45 what's to come can Gotham FC break through Houston Dash or will the bottom of the table the dash have another shock in store we're going to step aside and when we're back 45 more minutes to play in nwsl action [Applause] one [Applause] we're back at Red Bull Arena for nwsl Action between the Houston Dash and Gotham FC 1-1 the halim score and it's Ricky Clark acting head coach for Houston Dash that has opted to head to the bench with a substitution replacing Sophie Schmidt with Erin rubinson 4 5 minutes to see if something can split between these two sides that have gone 1-1 through the first 45 minutes Jessica charman alongside former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey Gotham in the black left to right Houston Dash in the blue from right to left Joshua and C nasion the referee we'll just check and see whether everything is okay to get us underway from New Jersey [Applause] a blow of the whistle and we are back underway 45 minutes remaining as Gotham FC take the kick and it's another unforced error from the home side Gary they just haven't been quite clean enough at moment in this game yeah perhaps but there's a long way to go yet and and there's such a good side goth that you think these these players will find a away to start putting Houston Dash under more pressure but give Dash credit even with the substitution bringing on a more attacking minded midfielder for Sophie Schmidt ER rubinson the Swedish International nearly 90 caps for a country so it's it unless there's an injury we don't know of if it's an actual tactical it's a really positive one physical challenge is pulled back tianaa Davidson chipped in that foul and Jessa the guilty party feels like Ricky Clark Brave in his decisions and feels like maybe this one is an opportunity to grab when you only have three wins on the entire season you try and cling on to any opportunity you might have as a long ball sent forwards chasing it down is Andrea Davidson will knock it forward to n swonger will send it all the way down the channel and out for a Gotham throw I think after such a tough season if Houston Dash word to be able to get a win here maybe even a draw would do so much for the confidence in the locker room it has to about little wins at this point right because realistically you look at that table and playoffs isn't going to happen so it's about what can you celebrate and build forward for the 2025 campaign 100% And and for Ricky Clark in particular maybe you know a chance to say well if if F Alonso doesn't come back or is to well or whatever the situation is and I'm your man and so he's putting his stake out there as sort of future long-term coach and the best way to do it start getting results start making this a club that players want to stay up because they've had a couple of players leave in the the last few weeks Sophie Hurst has gone to Portland they've canel CC Kaiser's contract and in fact she has joined Gotham so players leaving the head coach away and Ill now for the last I think it's almost two months it's a it's a club that's in W say in turmoil but certainly in change in flux and you want that change to be good change from now on and that's what Ricky Clark is trying to do and so far Houston today have done a good job of putting their best foot forward they' love so much more if they can do so tarani sent that one forward off of a volley important note that the Brazilian Center back did receive a yellow card late on in that first half and a passionate as player as they come she will have to be careful with the sorts of challenges and conversation she has with the referee battle on the sideline comes up in favor of the dash looier will take this throw in in terms of the pressure from the first half expector goals is just over one for Gotham and they do have the one goal just 38 for Houston Dash so once again this Gotham side do create opportunities they do work and force you into errors they're just a Relentless machine but Houston Dash doing really well to get at least one goal from their 38 expected goals SOI what a difficult level of header that was for Odon as well that they've only equaled that XG and in previous matches Gotham they restricted pride pride who a top of the table by the way to a 65 expect to goal over over the full course of the game and before that Thorns 37 so 38 at half time but Houston Dash actually again shows you how positive they've tried to be how they've they've had a go at Gotham they've High pressed them they put balls into dangerous areas and I think this Gotham side have been really surprised and they probably had a real hardto hard chat at halim and said hey we need to lift our game because this Houston Dash is probably not as bad as their results suggest as a former player I think we both know complacency as much as you talk the right talk you say every game is difficult it can creep into your mind when playing a low League table yeah this is it bottom of the table and coming into this match is one goal in seven matches you've got to be secretly thinking this should be straightforward even though you try not to think like that Jess Carter her third appearance for Gotham will send it up to Crystal Dunn dun early cross towards the back post closest to it was Katie stangle just couldn't control St was waiting when it eventually came to it was a simple tap in if that could have been the first touch to aair I could have seen Gotham heading into the lead and I think est's probably only got 10 15 minutes before they look at Lyn Williams coming on unless they play them both up front which should be a very positive statement by one caros amaros but assuming he changes a stair Forin Williams then st's probably got 10 or so more minutes to impress the manager and try and get a much needed goal you mentioned earlier on in the game a St has had injury crisises this season this just her 14th game played there a big switch from Gotham controlled well by stangle nice wer back to Davidson Davidson will control the captain looking for ahead takes a bit of space herself recycles with Sonet hustling was done and does enough to force the defender to turn it out for a Gotham throw just taking their territory gradually as they look to carve out another opportunity NE Martin will have this throw Martin will toss it in long as there was the closest to it done to carter back to D deflected on its way to Carter ball stays in Martin back to Sonet and the looking for an option Davidson big direct switch over to the flank of CLA she'll save it in important defensive play by alier good switch a play wasn't it from left side to right side and it gets cter all the way up the end of that pitch there into a good attacking position Carter so comfortable up in that attacking third as a fullback as she throws it back control by shean nice swonger Wayward pass Adon to andessa back across to Patterson wasn't put in her stride had to slow down but does loop it forwards it's a bad ball to give away from n wonger brought all this pressure back on Gotham when they had the ball when they were applying pressure sloppy bit of work and as you said the kick off to the second half there been a few of those moments for Gotham where they just have lost concentration maybe we should mention they actually had an extra match in midweek they were away in the Champions Cup in Costa Rica they played Alena and beat them 4-0 and then I think they only returned on Friday Friday so you know they had a chart of flight so they able to fly straight from the Orlando match from Orlando itself straight into Costa Rica but still lot of travel the extra game some tired legs I wonder if that's having an effect on gol can always be training particularly in those different competitions found to have an impact in some shape and form but a 4-nil victory in that game y me Ryan actually got a red card in it as a chip ball towards the back to the post aier and it's blocked in a combination of Jess Carter and an cine berer wow I just wonder if there was a chance for loer to hit that on the volley or or or to control it a little bit more quickly by the time she got it under control defends it Defenders have closed her down but once again credit Houston Dash coming here to the Champions and putting them under some pressure a fourth corner for the dash as Yuki send it high and deep Harris will have to start it back and service from set pieces will be something acting head coach Ricky Clark will be scratching his head a little bit but they do put it back into a dangerous area as Patterson trying to find a way to break through the defensive line does she ear a throw in she does Harris start back with Michelle aier Gary how do you get more consistent on that set piece delivery yeah it's just it's it's a it's a skill and the quality of putting it into the right places at the right time so important for dash Patterson great work on the dispossessed but couldn't match it with the service Avery Patterson though such a player to watch in her rookie year they throwing numbers for whether it's Patterson on the one side or whether it's alier who in that situation had dropped deeper to to stop the counter attack CU she has the pace to do that but the two wide players they've really given them the license to push up and they've done it with great effect rubinson getting some of her first touches since entering the pitch as a halftime substitution replace Sophie Schmidt in what can be considered a somewhat attacking move for the dash nelier such a good close ball control but she's hustled well and Crystal Dunn goes to ground to thwart her breaking forwards I think something else you must say about Houston Dash and yes they are bottom of the table but they started off the season without any center backs and they had Sophie Schmid playing as a center Back At One Stage and the fact of their back four I think three of the four were midfielders trying to fill it oh risky pass under hit pass but tarani on the yellow card had to absolutely time that interception well but that's the value of having a proper Center back playing there early in the season they didn't they got they got hammered by teams who are able to find the weaknesses so to be fair to Houston Dash you get off to a bad start just haven't been able to pick up any momentum since thenon called offside as she tried to press that ball down it's really been goal scoring that's been the huge red flag for the dash this season 13 goals with today's goal and just haven't found the back of the net enough times to protect their defense yeah you're 100% corrected in fact coming into this game they' scored 12 that is tied for the third fewest through 18 games in league history so and again the last match they didn't they didn't play oton who's the only player who scored more more than a goal she scored four now five why wouldn't you want to play your main Striker so whether that's just rotation or whether there was other issues but they brought her back and she's made an immediate difference tarani with a wayward pass Jess Carter couldn't capitalize tarani definitely a interesting player to watch you'll have a moment of Brilliance and then a little bit of a lackluster pass comes with the style a little bit of uh complacency in moments as EST couldn't connect tarani starts things forward with andessa two Brazilian catch reports to patteron Patterson going One V one with nice swonger Patterson into the box has two defending her Patterson step over still has the ball starts it back with ruberson Nelson to Yuki Yuki great looking pass to alier she'll knock it off of the onrushing Sonet and out for another corner for the Houston Dash good cover play from son there to come and close alosia D who got behind the back for and into space but you're right another set piece another opportunity to find oon or tsani if she decides to go up but the service has to be better from Yuki Yuki driven towards the front post headed Away by the near post mark Jenna nicewonger left a lot to be desired Yuki with a second opportunity in quick succession the Japanese player needs more this time she plays it short gets it back at the pop pass the offside flag raised and we talked about this a little bit before we went on air and both players at fault in that moment yes yeah we it happened twice last weekend one of them being Mal Swanson had a goal scored and in fact so too did Houston Dash and both were goal scored from the the corner kick taker not coming back into an onside position before receiving the ball back now a it's 101 when you practice but B having seen it twice last weekend and this team go and do it again I'm like serious guys come on you're professional you can't do that all these chances from set pieces not being taken by the dash a foot racing wow tarani took a risk there but she paid off tarani goes to ground with the slide tackle and gets it perfectly right didn't she have to do that bringing Katy stangle down there if she doesn't it's almost a certain second yellow got a look at that though perfectly timed touches it away stangle knows what she's doing asking for the foul can't help but think what's going through the 21y old Brazilian Defender mind though every time she's left hung out to dry in those One V one scenarios that's the risk they're taking as we said in the first half the game punch for- punch here with Gotham which is a brave thing to do but agree with Ricky Clark is probably the only way to play for Houston Dash because they don't have the ability to sit back and counter outside of the boot T get back on the end of it some appeals for a penalty led by head coach Ricky clar I think there could be a v look at this because she's taken out just after she plays the ball across the box and we've seen this a few times this year in the nwsl where saw one with ad franch taking out of a player just after the player had headed the ball let's have a look here she plays it now she going to play it now it's not as bad a tackle as it looked initially but it's contact as we know the bar is are clear an obvious error onfield decision was no foul and I don't think there's enough in this challenge to deem a repeal of the onfield decision I would agree with you there the ball already got to Burger as well so it wasn't like the ball was there for her to get alosia even if she hadn't been tackled acting head coach Ricky would love to see the well-known signal for V I don't think he's going to get it though get a closeup of Joshua and Carion will see a substitution firstly for Gotham [Applause] that being a double substitution as Jenna nier and Crystal dun have their last action of the game'll be replaced by Tarn Torres and Jessica Silva what do you see from those substitutions Gary I think fresh legs given the fact there was a midweek game that's the one thing that's that I thought would be bothering them that they need to get players who are tired get them off and get fresh legs onto the pitch Al just something different because they really are struggling to break Houston Dash Down ju Carlos amaros the obviously feeling like his team's not quite doing enough against this Houston Dash side as we get a close look at Chris odan and Jenna I swonger not through any fault of their own they definitely had some bright moments but a tough opponent has come out to play today in the [Music] [Applause] dash heading forward are Gotham full spin in the Box by stangle she'll cut it back to the sixy Box headed away ahead of the rushing Silva Carter swinging in another cross to the edge of the six just couldn't get up high enough in the jump Delany she had she almost timed at ride Delan Shin if she had of she would have had a great chance to put a team back in the lead quality balls into the box something that Houston Dash has struggled to do they've got the ball wide they just haven't got the quality in for adones to work with except for the one occasion they got the goal Jalissa Harris down on the ground right now getting stretched out for the dash 24y old American seeing right now a closeup of Juan Carlos amaros and what do you think he's telling his players right now in the 65th minute just to keep just you know keep stopping them from trying to get crosses and I think that's the first thing they the service hasn't been good but that's more Houston Dash's fault I think Gotham have got to close that down stop the balls with the poten potential of the ball coming into the box and at the other end just keep creating opportunities something you would think will fall for Gotham I certainly think ly Williams could be a good choice someone big strong as we see yasman Ryan score the opening goal way that will mean that the dash will yet again play down a player [Applause] momentarily for that story to change as Jalissa Harris still down the wave goes around red B Arena who Gotham FC fans certainly having fun this after receiving treatment for the cramp doesn't appear that afternoon but can't help but think they'll be disappointed if they don't get another victory at home today a sub has been made as of yet we're back under yeah mean it's the second best defense in the league versus the second worst attack you you know paper you think it's going to be a straightforward Gotham game and they might still turn out to be winners but they've got some proper work to do here have Gotham if they're going to walk away with three points still playing a player down the Dash having to adjust their formation as Gotham hold no prisoners shean starts things back in the defensive line with Davidson Davidson big diagonal switch to Carter he'll head it down controlled by Silva Silva trying to find an angle three Defenders on her earns a corner good work by the most recent substitute for Gotham FC with a nice touch on the ball and when we spoke to One caros OS he said J Silva is a really good technical player intelligent player and very good 1 V one so obviously she's been given a task to have a go with this Houston Dash defense and see if she can find a way through Ryan and Torres stand in the corner also have Silva as an option [Applause] driven connected by Davidson headed away only as far as Torres ping pong ball eventually swiped clear by Yuki opening up is Yasmin Ryan has the only goal for Gotham today Silva good cross in to aair aair deflect off of her what a Back Spin as a stair keeps it in some somehow that ball manipulates itself to stay in and Jessica Silva can't get on the end of her touch opening up is Yasmin Ryan has the only goal for Gotham today Silva good cross in to EST EST def Flex off of her what a Back Spin as a stair keeps it in some somehow that ball manipulates itself to stay in and Jessica Silva can't get on the end of her touch see continuing to try and break down this hardworking Houston Dash back line has mean Ryan on this right hand side Carter down the line Carter through one Challenge alier on the defensive duties her pass though Wayward finally breathing as Avery Patterson combines with Yuki Yuki dispossessed Carter benefits another short pass just seeing some of these players that are new to Gotham FC not quite on the same page as each other at the moment 70th minute from New Jersey Gotham FC tied 1-1 with the Houston Dash Carter to Silva step over cutting back the other way Silva trying to get round the defender does put up a cross almost leaving that a little too late to intercept was tarani but she does enough and now a foul drawn by Yuki Jess Carter guilty in the challenge we saw the other Jess Jess Sila there just showing why the manager thinks she's so technically good and good in the 1V ones beating her marker out on that right hand side and just couldn't quite get the right cross in but that's what they want from Jess Silva more attacking options down on the ground Houston Dash have some concerns y y y Cries From acting head coach very vocal it's good to see him really establish himself in this role right now and Garner a lot of respect very clearly from his team well you you certainly will get respect if you get results because you know as a coach you're telling them do this and you'll play well and if they do it and they play well they're like great coach coach understands the coach has got us the coach knows what to do so for Ricky Clark so important that's why he said he was hurt by the Utah RS result losing at home 3-1 to a team you next to them in the in the bottom portion of the table they really thought they were going to do better on the day yes they were unlucky that Goldis allowed from the corner offside which they have repeated here today which is really surprising for a professional team but certainly if he gets a decent result here Ricky Clark he'll be respected as that man is there won the championship last year and got them off to a great start this year 2023 Coach of the Year ju Carlos amoros it was Michelle alier that needed us some treatment in that moment Dash would like to keep her in play if she's able to continue and such an important player for the dash tonight not just offensively but defensively as well [Music] controlling this down is andessa she start it in the back line with Jalissa Harris waiting for substitutions to check in see if the head coaches decide to get their players in action as of yet have not decided to call for those [Music] subs Patterson down the line Dessa was the target Jenna Davidson will swipe it away referee will now blow his whistle allow Subs into the action B Bey there for Yuki nagasato done well she's put in a real shift but BB can bring in some fresh legs and make things happen for Houston Dash and still waiting to see if Lyn Williams is going to come on and make an impact for Gotham the time is ticking by here she could be the one to unlock it she was the only goal scorer in the teams met earlier in the season so sometimes horses for courses a 1 nil result all the way back in May balls swiped away and out for a dash throw in challenge finds it way to Odon saving the corner is Tiana Davidson important to prevent that set piece Davidson with the captain's armband such an important part of this back line anchoring a defense for Gotham FC that has only conceded 16 goals this season chiy foul is pull odones doesn't like it she's a real handful odones you know with her with her height but she's also a clever player she makes it difficult for you to play out's a lot of work stopping the the buildup from the back and of course it set pieces a massive threat as you shown already this match we see Lynn Williams still with her Penny on for Gotham FC so not quite her time to shine as strong is the challenge and odones will get on the end of it odones lays it off on the overlap is Michelle aloner alier pulled in a foul on Jess Carter just hear in the background she thr on her foot or something she t on her pinky but the pinky is the finger isn't it I thought it was in the foot Lyn Williams still hovering with intent but still not getting into the action she definitely trying to make eye contact right now isn't she and saying please put me in [Applause] Burger will send it long physical challenge by [Applause] ham Jane Campbell will get the touch and it's not been a busy night for Jane Campbell no that's rare for her you're 100% right I mean think six saves last week against Utah Royals she's had maybe one two in this match so far stangle lay the ball to Carter she'll finds Silva Jessica Silva cutting around her Defender cuts it to the front post and tarani again positioned so [Applause] well coren taken fast Silva tried the back hill to get round loer she defends nicely Davidson poked away from her but gets it back on the pass Davidson to the by line deflects and it's out into the thankful hands of Jane Campbell Katie stangle just couldn't find a way to connect it back into play and she's gone down holding her lower back are threatening a bit more aren't they the Champions just putting a bit more pressure on Houston dashy stingle there just unable to flick the ball back into play it's funny though seeing EST in that shot it's been a very quiet second half for EST and you wonder how much more she can give as we see the substitutions now for Gotham FC and it is Jess Carter being replaced by Mandy Freeman and of course all Roars going out for Lynn Williams so Lynn Williams and Gonzalez will take to the field together and that is quite some attacking lineup for Gotham FC Gary excited by that becomes a real problem now for Houston Dash because Lyn Williams has the physical strength and the speed to start causing a whole different bunch of problems the stairs more of a touch player combining together they could get the Breakthrough against Houston Dash only been given 13 minutes plus stop stage time but players of that quality only need one look to be deadly it's tarani chopped down and that's a late late Tackle by Jessica Silva and rightly will see the yellow card no question about that and I just wonder if there's a little bit of carryover from the first half and Gotham have decided they're going to dish out some treatment tiani's got to be smart now though not to respond 100% because rightly so she's furious with that fou but she has to show it through her play versus any sort of retaliation absolutely and it was a foul and as I said it had a a premeditated feel to it like they were looking to get at her for some of the bumping heads from the first but it came from Jess Sila who doesn't seem to be the sort of most aggressive of players but she missed that Tackle by a good amount of time and discussion with Joshua and conason taking place there but she's been in the wars tosani no question about that she is really fought all the battles here today for her side just 21 years of age the Brazilian Center back in eighth start and she has a bright future but even more a bright present right now in this Houston Dash [Applause] side you see acting head coach Ricky Clark talking about a cynical foul but the yellow card is really the most that can be given in that moment so so one job in football I would hate to have is that of the fourth referee oh because you get both sides at you for 90 minutes or generally always complaining Ricky CL they're not happy with the treatment on tar I'm just not quite sure what referee can do other than give a yellow I don't think it's a red card but let's see what more than a yellow that can give she's absolutely in the wars is tarani you just see the look on her face bewildered what more she can do in this game feels like she has a Target on her back but you got to see that as a compliment Yep this is true she does have fire in her eyes I just wonder what her next tackle is going to be like that's where acting head coach rookie Clark needs to earn his paycheck and make sure he has the word with the young Defender before she does re-enter the play on the sideline right now waiting to get in and a giveaway how costly may this be stangle towards Williams Williams couldn't [Music] connect Martin disp possessed Silva on that yellow card for the foul Silva opens up puts it in to EST she'll go to ground and it will eventually be pointed as a corner [Applause] kick the Netherland Williams is on the pitch got these skills of Jess Sila who really is an exciting player you got a stair staying on a lot of attacking Talent now coming at Houston Dash we're going to have to work really really hard to leave Red Bull Arena with a point see an Out Swinging corner it's dinked right under the crossbar Jane Campbell will have no worries catching that one under the bar not a good Corner way too close to the keeper look like tarani might have been waving to the bench the gesture for a substitution she's struggling with that left shoulder she did the finger waggle towards the bench we'll see if she can continue we see a substitution now Michelle alier has given all that she can on the pitch and she'll be replaced by Alyssa Chapman KCK awarded in the middle of the park under 8 minutes of Regulation remaining it will be heartbreak for either of these sides to concede but most particularly for the dash who have battled and been so resilient against this number four Place side Gotham FC first time cross though is dangerous towards the edge of the six Ryan controls trying to get round her Defender is Torres Patterson Johnny on the spot with the tackle Avery Patterson does not play like a [Music] rookie nilson cross to Chapman her first touch since subbing in Chapman sends it forwards now what point does head coach or acting head coach rather Ricky Clark start to get conservative and try and hold on to the point I don't think he should because it's worked so well for them to to have a go at Gotham the more you you start sitting back then Gotham are just going to hammer you and throw everything into attack so I think as long as you represent the threat to them they have to keep Defenders back they have to sort of keep defensive midfielders in play so important to keep it going and if you have to play long and aim for odonna nothing wrong with that can't afford to do that at the boots of Lynn Williams she'll dink It Forward quick off a line is is Jane Campbell to neutralize the attack Katy single nearly getting on the end of that but again as you mentioned a few minutes ago with all this attacking Talent if they get the ball if they get possession Gotham and they're likely to create something so if you're a Houston Dash you want to just keep possession away and certainly not give them the ball when you get it I think that's the biggest thing avoiding errors out the back that would be the most frustrating for the dash right now but can they pounce on an error of Gotham FC as Dianna odones round one odones tried to thread it back where it came from she does get a second chance though Patterson Far Side heading towards the 18 step over heavy touch can't keep it in play goal kick and Avery Patterson Running on Fumes right now just couldn't quite get that ball in pity because Odon Odon have done so well to hold that ball up Battleford and knock it one look at the energy right now the pace of the attack tarani wasn't happy with Jane Campbell there wanted her to come but should be the goalkeeper's decision in moments like that you and I were both know that I was getting mad watching it yeah exactly and to shout for the keeper from 18 yards out is ridiculous play the ball to the keeper in the end they got themselves sorted just start to see some inexperience between the two and lack of chemistry but Jane Campbell wearing the C armband will make the decision on when she comes for the ball going back toon a minute ago that long ball up front she battled for it she won it she held it up she brought everybody into play that's the that's the benefit of going long sometimes on the edge of the box is Williams the stangle the valuable point in the back Houston Das skipping through the challenge is Silva she'll hang it up high towards the back post it's headed clear Davidson will start things in the back line a chipped in Cross this time Patterson clears and a foul called against Gotham FC have a look at that set piece again and Jessica Silva so smooth clever player J Silva really is fantastic addition to an already wonderful Squad Red Bull Arena did not like that foul call one bit as tarani still holding that shoulder and the looks of her face she is not feeling too good with three minutes of Regulation and probably a lot of stoppage time to [Applause] come they've got options if they if they need to change and I think that's a signal going back to Ricky Clark and they've got some tough matches coming up besides if looking at the top four Gotham a fourth the next match is Washington away who are second they've got Seattle home who've won three out of the last three and then Orlando the league leaders away so there's three of three of the four including this one are away against top four teams this much good this will do so much good if they can get this result as much as we mentioned they've gone Toe to Toe they could have got more than a point but if they can hang on to this it could make a world of difference as we see Havana so Leon on to the pitch so la for tarani and a change in the back line for this Houston Dash side that has been so resilient today it was Solon as it's cut back deflected be cleared away to Silva Jess Silva has some green grass to climb into she's chopped down in 21 and 23 part of the 2019 World Elite 11 I mean that's just the beginning uh incredible player and great to see her come on and be treated this way also Chan FY is retiring this year so a couple of legendary players saying goodbye to Gotham but here in particular one in which they absolutely love her for the in a beautiful pass to Lynn switch the pitch over to Mandy Freeman here is aara she squares in a beautiful pass to Lynn Williams Williams just couldn't settle Captain play though by the dash as oon looking for B breedy couldn't connect 10 minutes of stoppage time double digits still so much time for a Twist to the tail Gary absolutely absolutely if you're Houston Dash that's a bit of a blow because you're thinking only a few minutes left and we leave Gotham with a point what a great day out and that's 10 minutes worth of work still to do it is aara floating in a beautiful pass just couldn't find ather in that moment she gives a thumbs up she knows it was [Applause] beautiful it will set up another corner can we write the script O'Hara with a header to to win this and say her goodbyes to the Gotham faithful Silva slide tackled Away by [Applause] andresa I mean you couldn't dream it up much better than that we'll see what the nwsl gods have in store for us today we've had a lot of big finishes this week in nwsl as a swinging corner under the bar Jane Campbell punches away chested down sent forward in a foot race and cine burer off of her line far far off of her line to [Music] [Applause] intercept Andy Freeman sends this one deep Lynn Williams will chase Williams gets on the end of it plays it back EST EST Gonzalez with a stoppage time goal Lynn Williams with the assist and just like that Gotham FC breaks the of Houston Dash and a gets her goal goal number three of the season it's just a long ball isn't it it's Route One football but then Williams applies the pressure and Jalissa Harris isn't clear as there gets the ball and is allowed to turn and shoot so there's some poor defending firstly there to get to allow the ball to come in and then from Paige neelson of all people to allow EST to turn on the ball Paige Nelson's behind there and doesn't stay close enough and it's a great turn from a and a good finish but they've done so well for this entire match Houston Dash and they've just switched off in these last few minutes and as you say broken some Houston Dash hearts and as we kick off Gary it probably isn't fair to the Defenders on the pitch but you wonder if tarani had been in the game during that moment she's managed to be placed right place right time all night long and her presence was missed in that moment and now Gotham will look to capitalize on all the space left as the dash search for an equalizer in stoppage time yeah two bits of Po defending Jalissa Harris firstly allowing Lynn Williams to bring that ball down and then Paige neelson allowing us to to turn that's a tough one for Ricky Clark his team have played really well here today I guess that's what separates Houston Dash from The Champions and why goth other the Champions they're able just to find ways to break down teams Jessica Silva is down on the ground after some nasty contact in the challenge as we get a look at Esther Gonzalez you mentioned had faced adversity this season with some injuries probably would be disappointed in her stats in two goals and two assists now three but this one means so much in her potentially what should be a game-winning goal it's a vital vital goal and ly Williams playing her part which makes you wonder if one Carlos amaros will look at that and go can I play both together we'll find a way to get a stair and Lyn Williams on the pitch at the same time I certainly be very tempted and of course we haven't even mentioned that besides all the success of Gotham this season in terms of being in the top four they're in the final of the summer cup as well and they did that without EST without Lynn Williams without all the Olympic players so again mon Carlos amaros really doing some wonderful things with Gotham in the last couple of years amaros who of course was a 23 nwsl coach of the year for his heroics helping lead this team to an mwsl Championship have to think that if he's able to repeat some of those accolades he might well find his name in the shortcomings again Lyn Williams is St that combination but defending is really and Paige neelson of all players she doesn't normally make those sort of errors and allow a quality play that amount of space to your point if tsion was still on you get the centy have been a lot closer a lot quicker to have block that shot I hate to do that to the players that have come in in her place but when you have a Defender that's rooted herself into this back line with such importance as tarani you can't help but just wonder what if but what if not enough for acting head coach Ricky Clark and it does look like Jessica Silva is not going to be able to continue and the sub will have to be subbed out due to injury and that's not a good sign for Gotham FC see going through the protocol for the concussion check so bear in mind the clock is ticking there will be more than 10 minutes we will get into the 100 plus minute mark from Red Bull Arena says for Houston Dash it'll be five straight losses no wins in the last eight but you got to counter that by saying they put in a really good performance here I thought they struggled against Utah rolls at home losing 3-1 but this today has been as good as I have seen Houston Dash All Season Silver Linings but it's going to feel bitter it's going to feel hard but unfortunately the quality of Gotham FC in that attacking third we said it take just one moment and Lynn Williams gets one moment to pick up her head and put in the service and Jessica Silva you see it in her facial expression there absolutely gutted to come on have an impact and have to be replaced now for zabon will replace for the remainder of stoppage time another class substitute to bring Off the Bench all the experience of the falls Bon she was made captain during the summer cup and she is just a wonderful wonderful player International experience and of course a ton of nwsl experience too so your guess is as good as ours for how long has left in the game unfortunately with all the stoppages taking place inside stoppage time but right now it's that goal from EST Gonzalez that will be a game winner for Gotham FC J Sila certainly had an impact when she came on some lovely little touches a very late tackle Tani a couple of other moments but quality player you would think to have in the side and that's that's that's what ju caros amaros has done well he bought in and Kine Berger this year as well he's just been strengthening the team whenever there's a good player good opportunity he's been stren strengthening and now of course with the latest one being CC kais are coming from Houston Dash but it's interesting to hear Jess Carter talk about an cine burger and how she never thought she wanted to come to nwsl and that tells you just how this league is growing that players who maybe hadn't considered it as an option now see nwsl as where they want to make a mark the dash will hope that there is one last opportunity they fought hard but right now it is for not in terms of the table had their chances they've had enough balls wide that haven't been whipped in in the right way enough Corners I mean again going back to that one corner where they were offside how you get called offside for Corners as a professional at this level is is beyond me but you know the quality of ball wasn't in and the one time it was in Odon scores with the header so a player of that quality not getting good service is is going to be frustrating for Ricky Clark but I'm sure he's already thinking of how to improve things and his team really have delivered almost everything that he asked them for just better service in the Box another goal and better defending for that last go and they might be leaving as 2-1 winners as opposed to 2-1 losers you mentioned it six corners for the dash today out with six shots three on target Gotham out shooting them nine to three but two of those three shots on target for Gotham FC have found their way past Jane Campbell in goal for the dash are past those 10 minutes of stoppage time now but probably several more to come due to that injury to Jess Silva in stoppage time question is can they get service into the box again we seen them wide the dash you don't need to beat players to get a service in you just got to whip the ball in now try and find a look here but Patterson and the dash do not get the throw they were expecting again the the you got seconds left in the match or minutes at best just wa the ball into the box doesn't have to be the right ball doesn't have to be from the right person but you know you fit Gotham FC look to charge forward Yasmine Ryan looking up seeing around out there then you lose possession and all Gotham are doing very professionally just working this clock down if she's got anyone there as she slows it down aara blocked away and dash haven't haven't been able to get that quality into the box at all take a throw in into and out for the throw in Harris to Patterson and AD Dash do not get the throw they were expecting again the the you got seconds left in the match or minutes at best just whip the ball into the box doesn't have to be the right ball doesn't have to be from the right person but you know you're fiddling around out there then you lose possession and all Gotham are doing very professionally just working this clock down and dash haven't haven't been able to get that quality into the box at all take a throw in into breedy connecting on the edge of the Box a strike blocked away bit of a race here as Gotham FC look to charge forward Yasmine Ryan looking up seeing if she's got anyone there as she slows it down aara blocked away and out for the throw in C Hera as we mentioned before announcing her retirement today is about celebrating it feels a lot better celebrating three and one exactly exactly she's come on with they with drawing has helped them get the win and that's the perfect way to to make your appearance as you're buying out of your professional career physical battle as Emily Sonic uses all that experience to draw a free kick mention the management of the clock from FC will use all their knowledge not many players with more knowledge than kellyo Harris stood over this one play it down into Yasmin Ryan Ryan with the first goal um it's always frustrating when you're the the team that that is down and is trying to move things quickly so I I do get the frustration of the dash players important by the goalkeeper to come through traffic and claim that CL [Applause] clean tries to send it forwards nothing there EST back to Ryan just sends it for the ball's been put in that's challenged the goalkeeper and it comes in the dying seconds of the match why not put more of those in earlier and you see it you see it right there with de or through traffic and claim that clean that's top class goalkeeping that's well done and Kine Berger but that's one of the few times the ball's been put in that's challenged the goalkeeper and it comes in the dying seconds of the match why not put more of those in earlier and you see it you see it right there with Dianna odones challenging how she hasn't been utilized well enough with her physical PR absolutely ABS it's not easy for an cat Berger when you got somebody over 6ot funny you got to time it right you got to hold on to the ball and you got to take a knock as well now if that happens in the first 10 minutes the rest of the game and and Katrine Burger's keeping an eye out for adones but it happens with the final kick of the match virtually mind you how many extra we have 167 minutes extra here if you one caller amaros you're proba be saying come on ref get this over whe I want the three points might well be the longest game that I've ever called could very well be the dash will be hoping that there are a few more seconds left to repossess possession and try and find an equalizer Against All Odds feels like that would be a [Applause] stretch then Kine berer looks to send this one as far away from her goal as possible [Applause] and that will be it Gotham FC Victorious a stoppage time goal by Esther Gonzalez hands them three they high pressed Gotham at times they they put they try to put decent ball in the Box the one time and any time they really did it they got a goal from it so yeah they'll take a lot away from this Dan oon is just fantastic up front for the dash and tarani Brilliant in in defense and there's certainly there's hope for a better future for Houston Dash but credit the Champions they found a way to get a very important Victory as they always seem to do Champions will find ways for three points someway somehow and that's exactly what Gotham FC have done 2-1 winners over the Houston Dash will step aside and when we come back highlights of all the goals from Red Bull Arena time and anytime they really did it they got a goal from it so yeah they'll take a lot away from this Dan oon is just fantastic up front for the dash and tarani Brilliant in in defense and there's certainly there's hope for a better future for Houston Dash but credit the Champions they found a way to get a very important Victory as they always seem to do Champions will find ways for three points someway somehow and that's exactly what Gotham FC have done 21 winners over the Houston Dash will step aside and when we come back highlights of all the goals from Red Bull [Music] Arena who' been drawn in a little bit yes man R so quick to get away and at that stage you're thinking wow typical Gotham it's going to be oneway traffic but anything but that Houston Dash really came back into the match thought of getting processes to see the yasman Ryan finish again they sort of getting crosses into dangerous areas and managed to get a fantastic ball in for odones but 6 minutes later far post she Stoops heads it past and Catrine burger and they were back on level terms and what a header it was for Odon her fifth goal of the Season Dash's 13th goal and a goal that was truly deserved with The Bravery of the way this Dash side set up they thought they' done enough it was all the way until stoppage time in that one1 one draw but unfortunately for the dash and fortunately for Gotham FC there was a Twist to the tail and the twist was instead twisting to actually hit that ball in the back of the net points at Lynn Williams who put pressure on Harris and got the ball to her there and paig Nelson just standing off there and she knew immediately that she should have been tighter and that's about you know one of the few times you could criticize Houston Dash up until then tsion had led that backline absolutely superbly but without her they were punished and victory for the Champions final score from Red Bull Arena reigning nwsl Champions Gotham FC 2 the Houston Dash one long road to go for the Houston Dash as they continue to sit at the bottom of the table but Gotham FC with all eyes up from Red B Arena I've been Jessica charman alongside my broadcast partner Gary Bailey final score Gotham FC 2 Houston D1 thank you for tuning in to nwsl