Gary Gibson
10/20/23
Catch our latest podcast where we discuss Gotham's chaotic, playoff clinching draw against the Current and we bring back best friend of the show Jenna Tonelli to give our takes on the fans vote. Our regular season awards show!
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Gotham FC vs. NC Courage
Date: October 22, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Wakemed Soccer Park
CBS Sports Network <<<Not on Paramount plus. Find appropriate free trial streaming service. Direct TV or Fubo
Key Stats
NJ/NY Gotham FC finished the 2023 NWSL regular season in 6th place, with a record of 8-7-7.
The NC Courage finished the 2023 NWSL regular season in 3rd place, with a record of 9-6-7.
Gotham FC is led by Lynn Williams who leads the team with 7 goals and 2 assists in the 2023 NWSL regular season, while the NC Courage is led by Kerolin who scored 10 goals and has 3 assists. Both players missed games due to world cup play.
Head-to-Head
Gotham FC and the NC Courage have met 26 times, with Gotham FC winning 6 games, the NC Courage winning 14 games, and 6 games ending in a draw.
In 2023, Gotham FC has got the better of the NC Courage winning 2 and drawing 2 games. Going 1 win and 1 draw in regular season play and Challenge cup play.
Matchup of the best home team (Courage) versus the 2nd best road team (Gotham). The Courage are unbeaten in 13 home matches.
Key Players
Gotham FC: Ali Krieger (Leads team in interceptions per match, 2.0 and clearances per match, 3.9), Lynn Williams (7 goals, 2 assists), Mandy Haught (2 clean sheets, 1.29 goals against average)
NC Courage: Kerolin (10 goals, 3 assists), Casey Murphy (9 clean sheets, 1.02 goals against average), Kaleigh Kurtz ( leads the team in blocks per 90. 3.5 clearances per match)
Preview
Gotham FC and the NC Courage are very similar stylistic teams. Both teams like to press to win the ball and possess. Lose the ball? Go win it back immediately and start possessing again. The main difference is Gotham will do their pressing high up the pitch to pin teams in and the Courage are comfortable possessing anywhere on the pitch. They are the top two possession teams in the league.
Gotham FC is led by a strong attacking trio of Midge Purce, Lynn Williams, and Esther Gonzalez. They are assisted by a young but active midfield of Nealy Martin, Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan. Gotham’s strength is in high pressure and high turnovers. When they turn you over they go directly to the goal.
The NC Courage is also led by a strong attack, with Kerolin, Tess Boade, and Tyler Lussi. They are assisted by one of the best 6s in the game in Denise O’Sullivan who is the heart of this team. Their strength is in out possessing teams, pulling them apart with transitional passing.
Both Gotham FC and the NC Courage have strong defenses, but Gotham FC may have a slight edge in this area. Gotham FC's center back pairing of Ali Krieger and Maitane Lopez are one of the best in the league, and the team also has a talented group of outside backs including Rookie of the year candidate Jenna Nighswonger and veteran Kristen Edmonds.
The games between these clubs this year have favored Gotham. They tend to let the Courage have the ball and wait them out for a mistake. Gotham tends to turn opponents strengths against them and turn them into weaknesses. For a team that doesn’t give up many goals, the Courage have given up 7 goals in 4 games against Gotham FC this year. Including 5 goals in the last two outings.
The key matchup will be rookie Jenna Nighswonger versus Kerolin. The world class attacker has gotten the better of their matchups so far. Using her speed to get by Nighswonger when isolated.
Overall, this matchup between Gotham FC and the NC Courage is expected to be a close and exciting game. Both teams have strong attacks and defenses, and they are both pretty evenly matched.
Prediction
Gotham FC 2-1 NC Courage