HARRISON, N.J. — For Gotham FC, enjoying two-thirds of the sport a participant down, gutting out a scoreless tie ought to really feel like a reduction. As an alternative, they really feel robbed.
In precarious playoff positioning, Gotham FC overcame the earliest pink card within the NWSL all season to attract third-place Washington at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium.
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With eight groups making the postseason, Gotham (5-5-5, 20 factors) clawed their approach into seventh on purpose differential, pending Racing Louisville FC’s tilt with Orlando later Saturday night time. However they’re getting what they really feel is a uncooked deal from the refs that has them salty.
NJ/NY Gotham FC ahead Margaret Purce (23) drives towards Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner (6) throughout the first half at Sports activities Illustrated Enviornment on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Harrison, NJ. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“The gamers went to their limits. I can solely reward them, and I really feel sorry generally as a result of having to positively battle towards greater than 11 gamers regularly,” stated coach Juan Carlos Amorós after Gotham picked up their fourth pink card. “For me, it’s simply not ok, we will be the workforce that receives essentially the most fouls within the league, however we’re multiplying by 4 to 5 the instances that we get gamers despatched off. It’s simply not acceptable on our facet as a workforce.”
Gotham has been fouled a league-high 191 instances, however has seen 4 gamers despatched off when no person else has had a couple of.
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The most recent got here when Geyse tackled Washington’s Gabrielle Carle. Nothing was known as, however the play went to VAR and the Manchester United loanee was handed a pink within the thirtieth minute.
Geyse didn’t converse publicly after the sport, per league guidelines stopping gamers who obtain a pink card from talking to the media.
NJ/NY Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) passes throughout the first half at Sports activities Illustrated Enviornment on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Harrison, NJ. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Gotham managed to carry on, even after Washington star Trinity Rodman, nursing a again damage, got here off the bench within the seventy fifth minute
Keeper Ann-Katrin Berger received undercut by her personal defender, Lilly Reale, to depart the web open, however Heather Stainbrook’s right-footed shot from the middle of the field received blocked and cleared off the road to maintain it scoreless.
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Gotham even had two final cracks. Reale discovered Gabi Portilho for a left-footed shot from outdoors the field within the 97th minute that compelled a save by Aubrey Kingsbury. Then Reale compelled a diving save herself eight minutes into stoppage time earlier than the sport went last.
NJ/NY Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) heads the ball in entrance of Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt (17) throughout the first half at Sports activities Illustrated Enviornment on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Harrison, NJ. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
NJ/NY Gotham FC ahead Margaret Purce (23) drives towards Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner (6) throughout the first half at Sports activities Illustrated Enviornment on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Harrison, NJ. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“The extent is completely different for Gotham. That’s the truth of it,” Amorós stated. “It’s one thing we have to dwell with. We fill in every thing they ask us to report back to the refs, we’ve had conferences with them, but it surely doesn’t change.
“It’s all the time a unique stage.”