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
