Allie Long’s first goal of the season was one of the best you’ll ever see

Allie Long is making her mark on Gotham FC.

Since being traded to the NJ/NY club in April, Long has provided a sturdy defensive presence to Gotham’s midfield. The New Jersey native boasts an impressive 93.4 percent passing accuracy in her own half and a 91.1 passing success rate overall.

Now, the NWSL veteran can add goal-scorer to her 2021 stat sheet. Long banged in her first goal of the season, and first goal with Gotham, in the club’s 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars Sunday night.

Caprice Dydasco sent a long, bouncing cross into the box, finding Long, who expertly one-timed the pass into the back of the net, giving Gotham the lead in first-half stoppage time.

And just like that, @ALLIE_LONG is off the mark ⚽️💥#NJNYvCHI | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/smUKajuAis

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 25, 2021

Blink, and you may have missed Long redirecting Dydasco’s pass out of the air. That one touch is worth a closer look, this time in slow motion.

This touch by Allie Long has us swooning.

We see you too, Caprice Dydasco!#NWSL pic.twitter.com/asuAgmmDlB

— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) July 25, 2021

Midge Purce added to Gotham’s tally in the 70^th minute, converting a PK from the line to put the game at 2-0.

Draw the foul, convert the penalty 💯#NJNYvCHI | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/mZmFSMqZAL

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 25, 2021

Never letting up, the Red Stars made things interesting in the final minute of extra time. Makenzy Doniak, spinning at the top of the box, rifled in a low shot to the far post, cutting Gotham’s lead in half.

Not Doniak yet‼️#NJNYvCHI | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/W3dOqKSgBy

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 25, 2021

Ultimately, Chicago’s stoppage-time heroics came too late, with Gotham holding on for the 2-1 win.

Next up: Gotham slides to second in the NWSL standings ahead of their game against the Houston Dash on Sunday. The Red Stars will head home to host the Washington Spirit on Sunday.