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For the first time since 2013. Sky Blue FC now Gotham FC has reached the playoffs. With a league leading 11 draws Gotham does just enough to get into the playoffs.
Playoffs are a complete crap shoot. The best teams throughout the season don’t always win. Any team can go on a 3 or two game win streak and win a championship. Gotham just has to win 3 games in a row. It’s not entirely impossible considering Gotham is on an 8-game unbeaten streak. Unbeaten since new coach Scott Parkinson has taken the reigns.
Gotham FC heads first to Chicago to take on the resurgent Chicago Red Stars on Sunday at 3pm. Here are some items of note heading into this matchup.
Undefeated new coach Scott Parkinson is a former Red Stars assistant coach. Nobody knows this opponent better than him. And Gotham has done well this season against Chicago. A 2-1 win and two 0-0 draws. Scott Parkinson knows how to exploit the Red Stars and will put Gotham FC in a position to succeed.
Pugh and Watt vs Onumonu and Purce. In both draws Gotham failed to register a shot on frame. Chicago likes to clog the middle of the field with 2 defensive midfielders and get up the field quickly after a turnover with speedy Pugh and Watt. Both talented attackers have been bottled up across the three matchups and haven’t registered a goal or assist against Gotham. Which dynamic duo can impose their will be the deciding factor in this one. Lewandowski and Johnson have put up some of their best performances of the season against Pugh and Watt and need to continue that if Gotham is to get by Chicago who seems to be finding their offensive footing.
Will Gotham be without rising star left back Dorsey in this one? Dorsey left the KC Current game with a serious clash of heads leading to her being left out of both Louisville games. Eddy did well in both games in relief but doesn’t provide the level of two-way play that Dorsey is capable of. Otherwise, Gotham should be entirely healthy and having a full week’s rest for the first time in a while.
Will Lloyd rise above? Lloyd is undoubtedly one of the best that’s ever done it. And she has done it. She can rise to a level that few players can dream of and take over matches. This is the first time in Carli’s career that she has no other focus than her club. There are no more national team games. Every game she plays from here on out is possibly her last. There is only one thing to play for and that one final shot at glory and bringing Gotham home a trophy. If anyone can do it, she can. In one and done games it’s often one player’s moment of brilliance that changes the outcomes of matches. Time for Carli to rise one more time!
Gary Gibson
Soccerovergotham@gmail.com