Gotham FC falls 2-1 as Houston Dash scores stoppage-time winner | OneFootball

In what was a much longer affair than expected, NJ/NY Gotham FC fell to the Houston Dash 2-1, snapping their unbeaten run at four games. WAFCON winner Michelle Alozie scored the winner in stoppage time, almost four and a half hours after the match had originally started.

This loss means that Houston won the season series against Gotham after drawing 0-0 earlier in the year in Texas. The loss also means Gotham is yet to win since the summer break ended, despite doing enough in both this and the last game against the Washington Spirit to deserve a win.

At this time, Gotham FC remains in eighth place, but is tied on points with the North Carolina Courage at 20 each. Coincidentally, the two play against each other on the last day of the season, which is currently setting up to be a pseudo-playoff game, as that could decide who earns the final playoff spot.

Gotham FC will begin their CONCACAF W Champions Cup campaign on Wednesday when they play C.F. Monterrey Femenil at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Hopefully, a break from NWSL opposition is what this team needs to get out of this results funk, which has seen them go three games without a win.

Houston steals three points in New Jersey from Gotham FC

Gotham FC started the game as strongly and lively as they have in recent memory. This was impressive considering the heat index was at 100 in the opening minutes of the game. They created chances, pressed well, and were rewarded for it with an early goal.

In the eighth minute, Rose Lavelle finessed a curling, left-footed shot into the far post that had Dash goalkeeper, Jane Campbell, beat. The ball smacked off the post and fell to the feet of Gabi Portilho, who then found Esther González. The striker put the ball in the back of the net to give Gotham the early lead. This goal saw González retake the Golden Boot lead from last season's winner, Temwa Chawinga, of the Kansas City Current.

The NJ/NY team then carried the momentum on through the first half, keeping the vast majority of play in Houston's half and not even allowing a shot from the Dash at any point in the opening 45 minutes.

This positive momentum was unfortunately stopped, as in the 51st minute, an unfortunate own goal from Emily Sonnett leveled the score. To try and alleviate some of the pressure from Houston's press, Sonnett tried to pass the ball back to Ann-Katrin Berger. She put a little too much power and not enough accuracy on it as it was just out of the German keeper's reach, and the score was back level at one a piece.

Shortly thereafter, in the 63rd minute, the match entered a lightning delay. This was somewhat unexpected, as going into the game, the chance of rain, let alone lightning, was seemingly minimal. Still, as the kickoff approached, the forecast saw an increased chance of rain.

After a delay of more than two hours, the match resumed with 28 minutes plus stoppage time to play. And for a majority of those 28 minutes, Gotham looked like the much better team and the one more likely to score. Chance after chance came, and despite winning the xG battle 1.19-0.11, the Bats ended up conceding in stoppage time.

Michelle Alozie scored a fantastic upper-90 goal off of a quick Dash counterattack. While there was some hope for Gotham fans on an initial VAR review, the goal was given, and the game pretty much ended seconds later.

This is definitely the toughest fixture to swallow for players, the coaching staff, and fans. The Bats were by far and away the better team over the 90 minutes, but a tough own goal and a stereotypical smash-and-grab goal were what ultimately sunk Gotham today. And credit to Houston, they got one big break and capitalized late in the match on what was probably their best chance of the day. They executed when they needed to, and they should be applauded for that, especially given the circumstances of the delay and being on the road.

As mentioned earlier, it is a quick turnaround for the NJ/NY side. They are back in action on Wednesday and then again on Saturday. Luckily, they are both at home and, especially on Saturday, are against beatable opposition. These two games are crucial in not only starting their Champions Cup group stage well but also keeping pace in the playoff race. It is not going to be easy, especially with the additional games and travel, but Gotham FC has what it takes and is playing at a level where the results should start turning in their favor.