Gotham FC advances to Challenge Cup Final

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 27^th minute, but her strike from the top of the box skidded wide.

Close on the counter from Carli 😬#NJNYvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/gd09XYIJEQ

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 2, 2021

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.

🗣 Allow me to reintroduce myself 🗣@ALLIE_LONG is back in the tri-state 🏡#NJNYvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/aNMQZuEHGG

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 2, 2021

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

Blocked by Betos ❌#NJNYvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/UtmYKzYKfJ

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 2, 2021

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.