Kailen Sheridan’s spectacular save keeps Gotham firmly in playoff hunt

Kailen Sheridan’s late-game heroics helped keep Gotham FC in the playoff hunt as the club played to a 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville FC on Thursday night.

In the 92nd minute, Sheridan managed to get one hand on a high shot by Cheyna Matthew, knocking the ball just over the crossbar and saving the tie for Gotham in stoppage time.

No words for this @Kailen_Sheridan save 😱#LOUvNJNY | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/wosROqhhvO

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 29, 2021

Gotham struck first in the seventh minute of the game.

Carli Lloyd, who returned to Gotham after her sendoff match with the U.S. women’s national team on Tuesday, teed up Ifeoma Onumonu with skillful dribbling in the box. Onumonu met the rebound of her own shot to send it past the goalkeeper and put the visitors up 1-0.

Carli dancing, Ify scoring 👏#LOUvNJNY | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/JV9ufDh8Qa

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 28, 2021

Onumonu’s goal, her eighth of the season, brings her within two of the lead for the NWSL’s Golden Boot race.

The score held until the second half. In the 52nd minute, Louisville midfielder CeCe Kizer slipped one past Sheridan off of a pass from Katie McClure.

That Kentucky Counter™️ 😌#LOUvNJNY | https://t.co/iecT7II54a | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/pmg22VAnbl

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 29, 2021

As a result of the tie, Gotham has two more opportunities to clinch their spot in the playoffs: a North Carolina Courage loss on Saturday or a win on Sunday against Racing Louisville.

Gotham will look to finish the season on a high note, hosting Louisville in their regular season finale at 3 p.m. ET.