{"id":297758,"date":"2026-07-16T16:20:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/297758\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T16:20:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:20:51","slug":"3-things-we-learned-from-gotham-fcs-queens-classic-win-over-the-spirit-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/297758\/","title":{"rendered":"3 things we learned from Gotham FC’s Queens Classic win over the Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a hot, smoky, and at one point before the match, rainy Wednesday, NJ\/NY Gotham FC<\/a> hosted the Washington Spirit<\/a> for a battle of the NWSL Championship opponents<\/a>.\u00a0 However, the matchup did not take place in New Jersey.\u00a0 Rather, it took place in Queens at Citi Field <\/a>in what was a well-advertised event known as the Queens Classic.\u00a0 42,175 fans filled the stadium<\/a> despite the poor air quality throughout the day.<\/p>\n

The record-breaking crowd for the highest-attended women\u2019s sporting event in the Big Apple witnessed a 1-0 win for Gotham FC<\/a>.\u00a0 Rose Lavelle<\/a> scored the lone goal for the Bats.\u00a0 But the team would not have won without Ann-Katrin Berger either, for she had nine saves during the game.<\/p>\n

It was not the best offensive effort per se by the NJ\/NY side, but they utilized possession to help with the attack.\u00a0 Moreover, they were clinical when it mattered.\u00a0 And once again, they were lights out defensively.\u00a0 The backline was strong, but Berger really was the hero, especially with her saves at the end of the game.\u00a0 The Spirit came so close to leveling the score, but the goalkeeper kept the clean sheet.<\/p>\n

As always, there is so much that can be discussed.\u00a0 Here are three things we learned from the match between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sam Kerr made her Gotham FC<\/a> debut<\/p>\n

One of the world\u2019s best strikers and Gotham FC’s recent signing<\/a>, Sam Kerr, made her debut when she came on as a substitute in the second half.\u00a0 Of course, this is not her debut for the team since she played with the club during the Sky Blue FC days.\u00a0 Still, she made her return and her debut for the 2026 season and played in her first game in the league since 2019.<\/p>\n

Having a player of her caliber is great for the NJ\/NY side and the NWSL.\u00a0 But more importantly, Kerr\u2019s return will force a friendly team competition between her and Esther Gonz\u00e1lez.\u00a0 Ideally, this will help the Spaniard find her goal-scoring self again, and that was seen over the weekend<\/a> when she scored her brace.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Kerr had a good stint in her first game.\u00a0 She had one shot and a few solid offensive moments in her time on the pitch. It is only a matter of time before she scores her first goal.<\/p>\n

Rose Lavelle\u2019s goal was incredible<\/p>\n

With the heat, air quality, and the quality of Gotham and Washington, the match was not expected to be high-scoring.\u00a0 That did not mean that there were not going to be goals.\u00a0 There was one.\u00a0 And Lavelle\u2019s goal was one to see.<\/p>\n

The Bats’ constant pressure caused the Spirit to give up the ball, with Jaelin Howell and Lavelle working hand-in-hand to regain possession.\u00a0 As such, Lavelle took the ball and maneuvered around a defender with ease and trickery.\u00a0 The midfielder swiftly brought herself at an angle of the left side of the goal before she took her shot.\u00a0 A combined golazo and a chip over Washington\u2019s goalkeeper, Sandy MacIver<\/a>, put Gotham ahead.<\/p>\n

It was just a brilliant goal and perfectly fitting for an event like the Queens Classic.\u00a0 Sure, fans likely would have liked a few more goals, but again, the conditions and the quality of both sides made it easy to end in a low-scoring result.<\/p>\n

Gotham FC had a successful Queens Classic<\/p>\n

Gotham FC had a sell-out of the Queens Classic and won the game.\u00a0 It was a record-breaking attendance for the most fans at a club game and a women’s sporting event in New York City. Therefore, it is easy to say that it was a successful event.<\/p>\n

But what made it more successful was that the team turned it into a full afternoon and evening surrounding soccer.\u00a0 They had a watch party for the semifinal match of the World Cup, a fan fest, supporters decked out in Gotham gear, and more.<\/p>\n

There were also many athletic stars and fellow New York teams represented, like the Knicks and NYCFC.\u00a0 As a whole, Gotham FC<\/a> brought many together in Queens for a great day and game.<\/p>\n

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