Photo Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
In a rare comeback victory for Gotham FC, Esther González scored twice to help the NJ/NY club defeat Utah Royals 3-1 and earn the 100th regular season win in club history. Gotham is the last of the remaining six original National Women’s Soccer League teams, then named Sky Blue FC, to reach the milestone.
González’s second goal of the game tied her with Sam Kerr for the Gotham all-time regular season scoring record with 28 goals. González achieved this in her 62nd regular season appearance. Kerr accomplished the feat in just 40 games played from 2015 to 2017. The Australian striker was in the stadium to witness the record as she is expected to make her return debut with Gotham next weekend, having signed through the 2030 season after the expiry of her contract with Chelsea.
The Spanish international’s first goal of the night came minutes after Utah opened the scoring. Rookie attacker Jordynn Dudley earned a penalty kick that was expertly dispatched by González to equalize. Defender Tierna Davidson scored off a corner kick in first-half stoppage time to give Gotham the lead. González sealed the result with her second goal, which came in the 70th minute. She was played in behind by Sarah Schupansky, the striker dribbled around the goalkeeper far off her line and finished into an empty net.
