No. 4 Gotham threw a record-setting party in Queens, as Rose Lavelle’s first-half strike lifted the reigning NWSL champion past No. 2 Washington 1-0 in front of 42,175 fans — an New York City women’s sports record.
On her bobblehead night, Lavelle curled a long stunner into the far post in the 37th minute, echoing her performance in last year’s title match shutout.
“Good thing it went in,” the US midfielder joked afterward. “Because if I missed it and I didn’t cross to Esther that would have been bad.”
Australia captain Sam Kerr made her long-awaited NWSL return in the 64th minute to deafening applause, immediately slipping into Gotham’s high press.
“It’s a good preview,” said Gotham defender Mandy Freeman. “We're hoping to see more of her stretching ability, the way she can connect with the midfield and get behind... Sam is a great, well-experienced player, having her on the team has been a joy.”
Both teams battled 90-degree heat and a wildfire-driven haze that forced two hydration breaks per half, breaking up the game.
“If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing — that’s my opinion,” Spirit star Trinity Rodman told reporters. “But at the end of the day, there’s 40,000 people… It was a hard situation for everybody.”
“Can I be honest? I don’t like them,” echoed Washington coach Adrián González. “It kills the momentum.”
