3 things we learned from Gotham FC's championship win in the Champions Cup | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC knew they had the weight of the world on their shoulders.  The Bats were in the finals of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, and the pressure to win the competition was high.  Despite the talent, the ladies were having an up-and-down year in the NWSL.  The hope was that the Cup would spark better days to come.

While that is unknown, at the very least, Gotham FC can say that they are the 2024-2025 Champions Cup winners.  The NWSL side beat Tigres UANL Femenil 1-0 after a dominant offensive performance in the finals.  They outshot the opposing team 23 to 7, and it was a bit frustrating that they struggled to find the back of the net until the 82nd minute.  Nevertheless, Esther González’s goal, a rebound after missing her own penalty kick, sealed the deal and the win.

The historic win will be a highlight in this roller coaster season.  Of course, thanks must be given to those who are no longer with the team, for some of the multiple players who left in the offseason were vital in the group round and part of why Gotham made it to the semifinals and eventually the championship game.  It is a shame the schedule worked out as it has for the Cup, but that is football.  It does not matter who helped out in the group round, for players need to be a part of the current team to win.

But of course, last night’s team was remarkable.  They deserved to lift the trophy.  So, here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s championship win over Tigres.

3 things we learned from the 1-0 Gotham FC win

3. Gotham FC should have scored more

Everyone is repeating the same thing: Gotham FC should have scored more goals.  The missed chances reminded everyone why they lost some of their NWSL matches this season, so one can assume that many fans were on the edge of their seats throughout the fixture.

The Bats had 23 shots with seven on target.  Yet, they only found the back of the net once.  Part of why was Itzel González.  The Tigres goalkeeper was spectacular between the sticks, making six saves and making life difficult for the NJ/NY team.  But another reason was that the ladies struggled to capitalize on chances that they should have scored.  At a minimum, the match should have ended with a 3-0 win.

Instead, the lone goal came from Gotham’s González.  The forward missed her penalty kick, which was the second failed penalty kick of the night.  However, she thankfully pounced on her miss and sent the rebound ball into the back of the goal.  The team needed a hero, and the Spaniard was that player.

Still, one can celebrate this amazing accomplishment while also recognizing that it was poor of Gotham FC to score only once.  The ladies need more performances like they had in the semifinals against Club América Femenil.  Sure, the Liga MX Femenil side outshot them, but they won 3-1.  If the Bats can take the offensive performance of the finals and score multiple goals in the NWSL, then they should win more games.

2. The Esther González appreciation post

As mentioned, Gotham FC was offensively dominant throughout the match.  The one goal does not highlight the effort the team put in.  Again, more goals should have arrived, but that does not take away how much better they were in the final third.

Of the 23 shots, the player who scored the game winner, González, had nine of them.  The striker’s effort was likely a driving force for the rest of the team.  Without her, it is very possible they would have gone into extra time, and perhaps even lost despite the fact that they were statistically stronger compared to Tigres.

Therefore, fans can appreciate González and her brilliant performance.  She refused to give up, as did everyone, and eventually, her killer instinct arrived.  Gotham is fortunate to have her and that she has chosen to stay with the team for a few more years.  If the Spaniard can find consistency with her goals and not go through droughts like she does, then she could become one of the best forwards not only in the NWSL but CONCACAF.

1. Gotham FC has another trophy

Some teams might go years between winning trophies, but not Gotham FC.  After about a year and a half since winning the NWSL Championship, the Bats now have another trophy to add to their trophy cabinet.  This comes after the team was not necessarily playing their best football over the last few weeks as well.

Yet, they performed well in both Champions Cup matches to secure the wins and lift the first-ever trophy of this continental competition.  This is a remarkable accomplishment and proves that the team has the talent to be one of the best sides in CONCACAF and the NWSL.

Gotham FC can still compete for another trophy later on this season.  While they are getting too far behind to compete for the NWSL Shield, they should be able to get back into a playoff spot and ideally into the top four.  This is a team that can compete, so winning it all in the NWSL playoffs is still in contention.