3 things we learned from the Gotham FC win against C.F. Monterrey | OneFootball

On a rainy Wednesday evening, NJ/NY Gotham FC began their CONCACAF W Champions Cup campaign for 2025-26.  The Bats are on a quest to defend their title from the last tournament.  To do that, they must be successful in the group round and play a little better than they have done so in the NWSL.  It would not be easy, and this was seen in the first game against C.F. Monterrey Femenil.  Thankfully, the night ended in a win.  The NJ/NY team won 2-1.

It was a tough game for both sides, for they had to battle the elements.  The rain did not allow them to play their best, but it made it easier to capitalize on mistakes and poor defending.  Despite scoring struggles in the NWSL, Gotham found the back of the net two times.  Bruninha and Khyah Harper scored in the first half, and that was enough for the win.

Additionally, Gotham FC was playing at “home,” but they were not at home by any means.  For some odd reason, the match took place at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.  So, the Bats were in unfamiliar territory and even had fewer fans than they are used to.  Of course, based on the weather and midweek game, it is possible the same number would have been at Sports Illustrated Stadium.  Still, the NJ/NY side had to overcome that aspect of the fixture.

With one of the group games completed in the Champions Cup, there is a lot to talk about.  Here are three things we learned from the match between Gotham FC and C.F. Monterrey.

There was more rotation for Gotham FC than expected

Gotham FC had three matches scheduled this week, from Sunday to this Saturday.  As such, rotation was expected, which is common when there are midweek games.

However, it was not expected that Juan Carlos Amorós would rotate the squad the way he did.  The only players to start from the weekend’s loss to the Houston Dash were Emily Sonnett and Katie Stengel.  While there were some players fans believed would be superb against a top Monterrey team, like Bruninha, there were questions as to how some of those who barely play, like Sofia Cook, would do.

Thankfully, the rotated squad played well enough.  More importantly, the two goals scored came in the first half, and were not scored by someone named Esther González.  In addition, some of the players might have impressed enough to earn a few starts or more in the NWSL.

Emily Sonnett’s assist was perfection

As mentioned, Harper scored one of the two goals.  But it was the assist from Sonnett that was probably the moment of the match.  The defender had the ball in the middle of the box, and probably could have maneuvered herself to take a shot.

Instead of turning to shoot, she turned and stepped through and around Monterrey, bringing the ball toward the goal line and away from the center of the goal.  She then looked up and swept it toward the center again. The ball rolled and found the feet of Harper, who lifted it into the left side of the goal.  But without Sonnett’s quick feet and the way she maneuvered to make the pass, it is very possible that Gotham FC would have ended the evening with a draw.

Gotham FC needs the Champions Cup success to spill over

The Bats have started the new Champions Cup campaign well.  Monterrey is a talented team and often scores multiple goals.  The fact that they were held to just one is a good sign for Gotham.

At the same time, the team desperately needs the success from the tournament to spill over to the NWSL.  They did well in the group round last year, which was a different roster.  But the current Bats proved they are a highly competitive bunch by winning the last edition of the Champions Cup.  Between that and Wednesday’s win, they are having success in the tournament.

But they need that success in the NWSL, too.  They are barely in a playoff spot and arguably should be higher up in the standings based on the talent.  By this time, chemistry should not be an issue.  Clearly, the struggle with scoring and consistently finding the back of the net has been an issue.  Gotham FC needs to figure out how they can do well in both the Cup and league play.