3 things we learned as Gotham FC beat the Houston Dash for another 3 points | OneFootball

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, NJ/NY Gotham FC welcomed the Houston Dash for the last game before the June break.  The NWSL is pausing for the international break, the CBA-mandated break, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be right here in the United States.  The Bats desperately wanted to enter the time off with three points and also rebound after the poor showing in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

After 90 minutes plus stoppage time, Gotham FC secured a 1-0 win thanks to a goal in the 18th minute.  Jordynn Dudley scored what would be the only goal of the match.  Moreover, even without Ann-Katrin Berger, Shelby Hogan and the backline secured another clean sheet and shutout.

The win means that the NJ/NY side is in fifth place for at least the next month.  They are tied with the Washington Spirit and the Kansas City Current with 21 points.  Oh, and the unbeaten streak continues on, standing at six matches.

After a solid win, there are some things to talk about.  Here are three things we learned from the game between Gotham FC and the Houston Dash.

Jordynn Dudley’s goal was magical

Dudley scored the opening goal for Gotham FC, and it was magical and brilliant.  For starters, she brought the ball close to the end line.  Most players would have tried to pass the ball from where she was, but the rookie was hungry for her second goal.

Instead, she moved a few feet back into the box, still on the right side.  The forward was on an angle, and truly, she was not in the best scoring spot.  But she took the shot anyway.  Dudley swept the ball near the six-yard box, putting it into the top of the right side of the goal.  The power, angle, and pace made the ball impossible to save for Houston’s Jane Campbell.

The goal is just one of the many reasons that highlight why Gotham FC signed her.  Dudley is turning into a star, and it is only a matter of time before everyone in the NWSL knows her name.

Gotham FC still needs Esther González

The Bats might have bounced back after their slow start to the season, but they should still be more clinical in front of the goal.  Thankfully, unlike last year, Gotham does not always need to rely on Esther González scoring.  Jaedyn Shaw’s offensive output has helped, but others are stepping up.

With that being said, the NJ/NY side still needs their star striker to score goals.  González only has two goals in the NWSL thus far, which is way below what fans are used to seeing from her.  Sure, she has been streaky, but she has not scored intermittently here and there like she has this season.

She was threatening against Houston, for she had five shots out of Gotham’s 15 total.  Her offensive abilities have not gone away.  Rather. González just cannot find the back of the net like she usually can.  The team needs her to score, for that could be the difference in whether the Bats can compete for the NWSL Shield.

Gotham FC is back where they should be

Regardless of whether Gotham can compete for the Shield, the good news is that the ladies sit in fifth place.  They are only four points out of first place, so at this time, moving up the table is not out of the realm of possibility.

But the team officially is where they should be.  They are at the top of the table, and they are winning games.  Gotham FC could be even better, but at least they are where they are.  Fans can be happy that the team they know is in a better position than they were when they started the year.