Another day, another injury, and another disappointing result for Gotham FC.
Defensive anchor Teanna Davidson left in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury, and Gotham’s spotty start to their highly touted NWSL title defense continued Saturday, with a 2-0 loss to the Washington Spirit on the road. Defeated.
“I was very surprised that we didn’t perform to our potential in this game,” Gotham forward Lynn Williams said. “I think we can go back to square one and see where we went wrong.”
Gotham (1-2-1) scored just two goals in four games (five if you include the Challenge Cup), both by forward Esther González.
The Spirit (4-1-0) got a world-class shot from rookie Croix Bethune in the first half, and in the second half, Sam Hyatt, who replaced Davidson, got a handball in the box before hitting Ashley. -Hatch scored the penalty. Spirit star Trinity Rodman ran behind the final line and troubled Gotham all afternoon. Davidson was bad at tracking one of those runs.
In addition to the impact her potential absence would have on Gotham, Davidson is the first-choice center back for the U.S. women’s national team, which begins competing in the Olympics in about three months.
“It was really difficult, and I think Tierna’s injury affected us a little bit,” Gotham defender Maitane Lopez said. “But I feel like we have to come together as a team this week.”
