Gotham FC advances to Challenge Cup Final

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@NWSL

Gotham FC needed a win or draw to ensure a spot in the Challenge Cup final, and a draw is exactly what fans got.

Sunday’s scoreless tie with Racing Louisville kept Gotham atop the East standings, denying the North Carolina Courage a trip to the championship game.

The first half in Montclair, N.J. was a goalless battle, with neither side giving up ground.

Carli Lloyd nearly opened the game up in the 27th minute, but her strike from the top of the box skidded wide.

Allie Long made her Gotham FC debut at the start of the second half. Sunday marked the Long Island native’s first appearance for the team since she was traded from OL Reign last week.

Short on goals but not on exciting chances, Gotham produced some good looks in the final third. One of those chances came in the 62nd minute, when Caprice Dydasco forced Louisville’s keeper to come up big.

Despite a late push from both sides, the game stayed level until the final whistle.

The draw awarded each team one point, enough to put Gotham into the Challenge Cup championship game against Portland on May 8.