Gotham FC’s Title Run Ends in CONCACAF W Champions Cup

Things took a tough turn for Gotham FC on Wednesday night as they were eliminated from the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Club America triumphed with a decisive 4-1 victory at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico. After a 1-1 tie at halftime, Club America pulled ahead with three goals in the second half, coming in the 57th, 70th, and 87th minutes. Scarlet Camberos shone brightly with a hat-trick, while Gase, who had a loan spell with Gotham FC in 2025, notched three assists.

Gotham’s head coach, Juan Carlos Amoros, didn’t hold back in acknowledging the team’s struggles. “It was a very difficult game for us. I have to give a lot of credit to the players. They gave everything they had in those conditions. In the first half, we really struggled to adapt. They were better,” he remarked.

Gotham’s lone goal came early in the second half from Esther Gonzalez, briefly equalizing the match at 1-1. However, the team couldn’t maintain that momentum. Amoros noted, “In the second half, we got off to a very good start with the equalizer. Then they just created that situation on the counter and killed us there. That was the highlight of the game.”

Looking ahead, Gotham is set to play for third place on Saturday against whoever loses the match between the Washington Spirit and CF Pachuca.

Before this semifinal, Gotham had notably gone five games without defeat in NWSL play, giving up only one goal during that stretch.

This match served as a sort of revenge for Club America after Gotham’s earlier success in the previous year’s tournament. Camberos initiated her scoring spree in the 21st minute, and her second goal came shortly after they regained the lead following the halftime break. Gase’s contribution helped extend the lead further, allowing Camberos to complete her hat trick.

Unfortunately, the night took a serious turn when Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger had to leave the field on a stretcher following a collision with Camberos. The incident left her visibly in pain with a head injury, prompting immediate medical attention.

With Gotham’s second-half goalkeeper, Shelby Hogan, stepping in after the incident, coach Amoros mentioned he had no updates about Berger’s condition but confirmed she was taken to a hospital. “After that challenge in the first half, obviously we knew Anne had to go to the hospital, so it was very difficult for us,” he said.

Hogan expressed solidarity with Berger, stating, “We will support her in any way she needs. It was really sad to see her go down, and we wanted to bring a victory for her.”