Lynn Williams scored from the penalty spot in the 87th minute and Esther Gonzalez added a goal in stoppage time as NJ/NY Gotham FC pulled out a 2-0 victory over the host Chicago Red Stars on Saturday at Bridgeview, Ill.
Gotham FC (15-4-5, 50 points) earned the opportunity from the spot after Ella Stevens was taken down from behind by the Red Stars’ Cari Rocarro in the penalty area.
Ann-Katrin Berger made one save for Gotham FC, which clinched a top-four spot in the playoffs with the victory and a guaranteed home game in the postseason. It was Berger’s eighth shutout to tie a franchise record.
Gotham FC, who already qualified for a playoff spot, moved into second place in the overall standings.
The loss denied the Red Stars a playoff berth, but they can still make their way into the postseason field of eight if Racing Louisville FC loses to the Washington Spirit on Sunday.
Alyssa Naeher made three saves for Chicago (10-12-2, 32 points), which has games remaining against the Spirit and Kansas City Current, both of whom have already qualified for the playoffs.
Williams’ late-game goal, to the left of a diving Naeher, was her fourth of the season, all from the penalty spot. In an odd twist, Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros was given a red card after the Red Stars’ foul and just before Williams scored the go-ahead goal.
Gonzalez gathered a cross from Jessica Silva in the penalty area late in second-half stoppage time to score past Naeher and seal the victory.
–Field Level Media
Kyle Connor scored 51 seconds into overtime to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 2-1 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Sunday evening. Mark Scheifele finished with a goal…
Ilya Samsonov made 22 saves in his first start for the Vegas Golden Knights, helping them to a 3-1 win against the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. Brett Howden,…
Casey DeSmith made 25 saves in his Stars debut for his 11th career shutout as Dallas defeated the visiting Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Sunday night. Sam Steel and Wyatt Johnston…
Ilya Samsonov, Golden Knights shut down Ducks
Casey DeSmith shines as Stars blank Kraken
Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter among inductees into Hall of Fame
Rasmus Andersson’s 3-point night leads Flames past Oilers