3 things we learned from the 0-0 draw between Gotham FC and Chicago Stars FC | OneFootball

On a cloudy and rainy Sunday afternoon, NJ/NY Gotham FC played against Chicago Red Stars FC for the first time this season.  The Bats entered the match ready to go after beating the Washington Spirit last weekend and winning two of three games on their road trip.

As such, it was a little shocking that Gotham FC and Chicago split the spoils after the 0-0 draw.  The Stars recently fired their head coach, and the players have been struggling immensely.  They have the talent to be better, but things are not clicking by any means.  Yet, they locked down the Bats’ defense and held them scoreless.

Truthfully, more was expected from the home team’s attack.  They scored eight goals over three games on their road trip and played well for five of the six halves.  Plus, they were at home and were celebrating not only Michelle Betos’ retirement, but also the local heroes of the community.

As always, there is plenty to discuss about the match.  Here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s 0-0 draw with Chicago.

3 things we learned from the Gotham FC draw

3. Gotham FC celebrated Michelle Betos and Mandy Freeman

Gotham FC will always celebrate players.  They want to recognize accomplishments, end of careers, and more.

On Sunday, the team celebrated both Betos and Mandy Freeman.  Betos technically retired during the offseason, but had to come back for a few matches after the Bats faced injuries to their two backup goalkeepers.  Still, the team planned to celebrate her, and as such, they did.  The team honored her after the match, and Betos spoke to the crowd.

Freeman was also honored for her 100-start mark that she reached recently.  Gotham FC gave her a shirt to commemorate the accomplishment and flowers.  It was a nice moment for the long-time player with the club.

2. Gotham FC was the stronger team against Chicago

Drawing 0-0 with the Chicago Stars was not ideal for Gotham FC.  They were clearly the better side.  However, the visitors did well to keep the Bats out of the goal, especially Chicago’s goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher.  She had five saves and was a major reason why the game ended in a draw.

Still, Gotham was stronger and outplayed the Stars on the pitch and statistically.  They had about 58% of the possession, controlling the majority of the pace of play.  Their passing accuracy was about 81% while Chicago’s was about 72%.

Meanwhile, the Bats held the visitors to just four shots, with one on target.  On the other hand, they had 14 with five on target.  Some of the attempts were lackluster, but the NJ/NY team diligently worked to try to score.  Alas, Gotham FC could not find the back of the net, and that is why they only earned one point.

1. Nealy Martin is the best

Many of Juan Carlos Amorós’ players are versatile or are willing to play in other positions.  One such player is Nealy Martin.  The midfielder can and will not only play in the midfield, but also in the backline.  Of course, everyone remembers her short stint as goalkeeper in the final moments of the finals of the 2023 NWSL Playoffs.

This season, she has already played as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder, right-back, and now, center-back.  Martin’s versatility makes her valuable, but the fact that she is willing to play where she is needed is a great attribute of a player.  Now, if she were awful in those positions, then it would be different.  But she can get by.

Against Chicago, she held her own and partnered well with Emily Sonnett.  It helped that the Bats could use their possession to help with the defense, but Martin helped the backline reduce the Stars’ attacking effort.  She really is the best, and Gotham FC is lucky to have her.