In the 6th minute of the match, Orlando took the lead when a punchout attempt by Gotham FC keeper Ann-Katrin Berger ricocheted into the path of Pride forward Adriana, who struck it first-time into the back of the net.
The Pride doubled its lead in the 19th minute when Adriana fired the ball across the box and into the near-side netting, scoring her second goal and extending the Pride’s lead to 2-0.
Gotham FC came close to reducing the deficit just before halftime. Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan went one-on-one with her defender and got a clean shot off, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar, keeping the score at 2-0.
In the 83rd minute, Orlando nearly secured its third goal. On a direct free-kick shot taken by Adriana, the ball dipped just below the crossbar on target, but Ann-Katrin Berger, newly crowned as Germany’s Female Footballer of the Year, made a leaping save to deny the attempt.
After a defense-powered second half that saw no goals from either side, the Orlando Pride secured the victory, defeating Gotham FC 2-0.
Despite the loss, Gotham FC generated a lot of offensive chances. The club paced Orlando in shots (16-13), final third entries (65-37), and passes in the final third (146-66).
Ann-Katrin Berger, Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett (Jessica Silva 75’), Jenna Nighswonger (Taryn Torres 94’), Delanie Sheehan, Rose Lavelle, Nealy Martin (Esther 46’), Crystal Dunn (Katie Stengel 63’), Yazmeen Ryan, Ella Stevens (Bruninha 63’)
Next Game
Gotham FC will face L.D Alajuelense in Costa Rica on Thursday, Sept. 5, in CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage play. Fans can tune in at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+.