HARRISON, NJ (Saturday, August 24, 2024) - NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the Portland Thorns 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Red Bull Arena. Forward Ella Stevens and midfielder Yazmeen Ryan both scored in the match, and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger earned her fifth shutout with the club this season. 

Gotham FC struck early, netting its first goal in the seventh minute. Defender Bruninha delivered a cross into the box, where Stevens rose to meet it, heading the ball just beyond the keeper's reach and into the back of the net to put Gotham ahead 1-0. With the score, Stevens continues leading the club in goals scored, recording her sixth this season. 

As they headed into the halftime break, Gotham FC extended its trend of first-half shutouts, having kept its opponents scoreless in 13 of 17 games this season, the most in the NWSL.

Early in the second half, Ryan came close to doubling Gotham FC's lead. Forward Katie Stengel set her up in the center of the box, but Thorns keeper Shelby Hogan made the save, keeping the score at 1-0.

In the 69th minute, Gotham FC secured its second goal. Ryan positioned herself just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot, sending the ball to the near post and beyond the keeper's reach.

Portland could not find the back of the net before the final whistle, earning Gotham FC a 2-0 victory in its first regular-season match since July 6. Gotham FC finishes its regular season record against Portland undefeated, winning both matches in shutout fashion. 

Gotham FC will face the Orlando Pride on Sunday, Sept. 1. Fans can tune in at 6:00 p.m. ET on MSGN or NWSL+.

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POSTGAME ASSETS 
KEY NOTES

• Gotham FC has shut out its opponent in the first half of 13 of its 17 regular-season matches.
• The club is 18-0-3 in its last 21 matches when leading at the half (8-0-1 in 2024).
• Gotham FC improved to 10-0-2 this year when scoring first and hasn’t lost in its last 25 matches when scoring first.
• Ella Stevens’ goal was her sixth of the regular season and third game-winner, both adding to her career highs.
• Yazmeen Ryan’s goal was her second of the season and fifth of her regular-season career.
• Bruninha’s assist was the first of her regular-season career in NWSL.
• Rose Lavelle’s assist was her first for Gotham FC and sixth of her regular-season career.
• Delanie Sheehan made her 50th regular season appearance, the 17th player to reach the milestone for the club.
• Ann-Katrin Berger’s fifth shutout of the season moved her into third place in club history for single-season clean sheets and tied her with Jill Loyden for third in career shutouts. Berger earned her ninth win, tying the club record set by Brittany Cameron in 2013 and matched by Kailen Sheridan in 2017.

QUOTES
Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós
On Rose Lavelle…
You know, I think that connection is something that we've seen developing, and I think the combinations are endless. I think the process already at that point where she's (Lavelle) one of the best midfielders, not offensive midfielders known in this country, but in the world, and I think we spoke internally as well about how important she was offensively and defensively for the U.S. And she did it again today so amazing when she arrived to defending the box and adding that to her game with us.

On Yazmeen Ryan…
And then Yaz is on the way to be one of those players, too, you know. I think she's showing that - taking responsibility with different positions, and when they (Lavelle and Ryan) connect together, you know, I think that there is special things happening. I was not forgetting the other ones. No, I think the same with the line and Rose, the same with, you know, Yaz and Ella, you know, I think the team is in a very good place, I think, for us getting everyone back in. It's been super special, and we know we are in a play, in a position where these players are enjoying. They know what to do, or they feel the freedom to execute certain things and express themselves on the go. And obviously, that is where, for example, Yaz and Rose are very special. So yeah, very, very happy with them, too, and with the teammates, and how much as a result of today's match, both the goals and a clean sheet in the first game back where they're all really integrating.

Gotham FC defender Jenna Nighswonger
On starting back the NWSL Regular Season with a win…
I think today was such a great start. We have such a busy schedule coming up, so to start this month at least with the win is really good. I think we played really well tonight, and there were moments again where I'm just watching the team play, and I'm just so amazed, and I think that's so great. And I think we have such a great starting lineup, and then we have these subs that come on and also do incredible. And I think that's something that's really exciting with the heavy load of games coming up. We want to make sure that we have a great bench as well coming off. So I think that was great. But yeah, just really excited to be back in back with the team since the Olympics ended, and I know it hasn't been too long.

On adjusting back to club play after the Olympics…
I think it's hard, because when I'm in the National team environment, I'm kind of just like in the national team environment. So I think maybe that transition coming back into Gotham, I feel the life without me there. I'm like, ‘Oh, time didn't just like pause.’ and I'm not just resuming it and coming back. So I think just missing out on lessons that they learned from previous games, and just trying to jump in as seamlessly as I can, which can be challenging. And I think mentally coming off of a tournament, a major tournament like that, where you have a lot of stress, I want to make sure that I'm mentally recovered from that before coming back into the team environment because they deserve me at my best. So I want to make sure that I'm always there at mentally at my best for them. Credit to like the club, I think they gave me a good amount of time to make sure that I was mentally back to normal like with my stress and everything and entering the club environment.

Gotham FC midfielder Yazmeen Ryan
On her in-game connection with Rose Lavelle…
I mean, Rose is an incredible player, and she always comes in. She's the difference maker, along with a lot of players on our team. And so yeah, it's always great playing with her. I know where she wants it. I know that she's going to give me the ball, and that she sees my run, and so that makes decisions a little bit easier because you don't have to overthink and that's the beauty of playing with her is that you know that she's going to be on it, and she also connects well with the players around her. So yeah, I mean, it's great. She's always dangerous, and that's always going to be a threat for us.

On the growth from last season to this season…
I think we started strong. We've only been going up, and we've stayed steady in the top 5 throughout this whole time. And so our goal is definitely not to drop to 6 and lose it the way last year happened, which we don't think about the past, we're only focused on the future. So I don't think that's a concern of ours at all. And yeah, we just we just keep moving forward.

MATCH SUMMARY
Gotham FC vs. Portland Thorns
August 24, 2024 – Red Bull Arena 

Goals by Half                 1    2     F
Gotham FC                     1     1     2
Portland Thorns               0     0    0

Scoring Summary:
GFC: Ella Stevens (Bruninha 7’), Yazmeen Ryan (Rose Lavelle 70’)

Misconduct Summary:
POR: YC: Christine Sinclair (45’)

Lineups:
GFC: Ann-Katrin Berger, Bruninha, Jess Carter, Emily Sonnett (Tierna Davidson 54’), Jenna Nighswonger (Mandy Freeman 45’), Nealy Martin, Katie Stengel (McCall Zerboni 83’), Esther González, Delanie Sheehan, Yazmeen Ryan, Ella Stevens (Rose Lavelle 54’)

POR: Shelby Hogan, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes (Nicole Payne 67’), Marie Müller, Hina Sugita, Jessie Fleming (Meghan Klingenberg 78’), Olivia Moultrie, Christine Sinclair (Reilyn Turner 56’), Izzy D'Aquila (Payton Linnehan 56’), Alexa Spaanstra (Mallie McKenzie 78’)

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