Gary Gibson
Gotham escapes from Harrison with a 1-0 home win against, let's be honest. The Rapinoe and Lavelle show.
Here's the things we learned.
Didi Haracic is a starter in this league. I would put money that after the challenge cup gotham's phone was at least ringing by other clubs to see about Didi's value. I'm sure of it now. Haracic kept Gotham in the match with big save after big save. Most notably a brilliant save against Rapinoe early in the match where she just got enough on it to push the ball to the far post. This is a goal Megan has scored dozens of times and there was little chance she wasn't scoring there. Haracic has grown in leaps and bounds. Enjoy her while we can. She should be starting somewhere in this league.
The second thing we learned is Lee can play. Sodam was comfortable in the middle of the pitch where she didn't before. Lee made an impact all over the pitch creating chance after chance and linking up with the forwards extremely well. I may have to take back what I said about this team not having a number 10. When players get their chance to start you have to grab that chance and make people want to see more of you. Lee did that. Onu's ability to stretch the field was due to Lee's ability to occupy the defensive mids with clever spacing and runs.
Then there was this. The favor of the soccer Gods. I'm not sure I've ever seen a team with more favor from the soccer Gods than this Gotham team. Stretch Armstrong would be proud of this bend but not break defence. Chance after chance. I'm sitting there befuddled because there is no reason in the world that Seattle shouldn't have scored at least 3 of those chances. If Shep Messing was calling this game he's undoubtedly say "complete chaos in the back!". One thing is for certain. This can't continue. Can it?! They keep getting away with it so maybe. Maybe Didi is a force wielder erecting some deflector shield around the goal. That or maybe...
