From Frustration to Celebration: Gotham FC Loses 2-1 To The Kansas City Current
Written by cupor1 on June 9, 2025
By: Luke Cirianni
The first place Kansas City Current took a trip to Harrison, NJ to face Gotham FC, and came away with a 2-1 victory. The first half started the best possible way for the Current, as they took a 2-0 lead in 11 minutes. Michelle Cooper started it off in the 3’, and then a few minutes later, 2024 NWSL Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga added a second goal in the 11’. Both Cooper and Chawinga each assisted one another.
This match was the season debut of USWNT star Rose Lavelle, as she made a return to the field after her ankle injury suffered in January. Lavelle was greeted with a standing ovation when she was subbed on. She had nothing but confidence when asked about how she felt.
“I feel good and really strong, I think it will just be a little bit for my ankle to get back to 100%.”
Gotham FC was able to snap their 3 game scoreless streak, only by an own goal from the Current’s captain, Vanessa DiBernardo in the final minute of the game.
There is a lot of controversy going around that Gotham FC had two goals reversed, and a foul in the box not called as a penalty. The officiating crew took a while to review each goal, and many times didn’t have an explanation for their decision, stated Gotham’s Manager Juan Carlos Amorós.
“I think it’s important that everyone is aware that what happened today is not right,” said Coach Carlos Amorós. “The explanations were not clear.”
The main controversy was Gotham’s first goal, where Kansas City resumed play with a kickoff after the goal, just for the main referee Danielle Chesky to call the play dead and take the goal away.
“Once Kansas City kicks off, you can’t bring it back. If it’s an interpretation, they need to go back and check it,” said Carlos Amorós. “The league needs to look into it, because that goes completely against the rules of the game once the play is restarted.”
Coach was proud of the attitude his players showed, despite the questionable officiating.
“When there is one call after another not going your way, it’s easy to just put your head down and let the other team dominate and lose the game. I think we were much better than them,” said Carlos Amorós.
The bright spot of the day was the post match, where Gotham FC had their trophy celebration from their Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup, a 1-0 win over Tigres. The players did a quick trophy ceremony for the home crowd.
“It’s just nice to bring home a trophy and celebrate in front of our home fans,” said Gotham defender Nealy Martin. “Also just to be the inaugural champs of that competition is amazing. In terms of today’s match, some games just don’t fall your way. I think we controlled the ball better in the first and second half.”
Other special guests in attendance were WNBA legend Breanna Stewart, and NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.
“I think we might be the only league where every single team has a celebrity or athlete to harness these teams on behalf of the league,” said Berman. “We’re going to continue to cultivate that, as we try to capture more mind share of the cultural relevance in this country.”
Gotham FC dropped points to 10th place in the NWSL standings, and will travel to Utah to face the Royals on Friday.
