3 things we learned from the impressive Gotham FC win against Portland | OneFootball

The end of the season is getting closer and closer.  Hence, NJ/NY Gotham FC knew that they had to win at home, especially with how tight the NWSL table is.  Giving up points was not an option.  Still, they had to face Portland Thorns FC, who absolutely demolished them back in April.  This time, Gotham FC got the better of their opponents, winning 3-0.

Midge Purce scored the opener, which was her first goal of the 2025 season and first since October 2023.  Rose Lavelle then scored the second and assisted on the third, which Katie Stengel scored her first goal back in the NWSL and second overall.  In total, the Bats outplayed the Thorns offensively, for they had 15 shots with seven on target.

More importantly, the defense did not combust like they did in the previous meeting.  Portland was limited to only four shots throughout the entire 90 minutes of play, despite almost evening out the possession by the end of the game.

This might be repetitive, but as always, there is plenty to discuss.  Here are three things that we learned from the game between Gotham FC and Portland Thorns FC.

Midge Puce finally scored her first goal of 2025

Having Purce back has been great for Gotham FC.  It took her some time to build herself back up to being close to the player that fans know she can be.  While she had not been statistically the best attacker, her work on the pitch has helped the Bats, especially over the last month.

But Purce wanted to provide more for her team.  So, the happiness on her face and the other players was vivid in the 10th minute, for it was at that time that the winger scored her first goal of 2025.  Mandy Freeman sent a beautiful cross into the box, and Portland was ball-watching.  This allowed Purce to make contact, head the ball into the ground, and put her team in front.

It was a fantastic header, but more importantly, the star has now scored her first goal.  This was a long time coming, and maybe this will unlock the scoring boots for the rest of the year.

Gotham FC needs Bruninha to be okay

With the signing of Jaedyn Shaw and then the blossoming of Lavelle and Purce in the second half of the season, the performances of Bruninha have somewhat gone under the radar.  The Brazilian started to earn starts again after a brilliant night in the first CONCACAF W Champions Cup, and subsequently booked her way back into the lineup in the NWSL.  She has started the last five NWSL fixtures.

She was having another solid game as well against the Thorns.  However, there are some concerns, for she went down in the second half.  It looks like she suffered an injury, but fans will have to wait to see whether she just suffered a knock or will miss any time.

Bruninha has been a vital part of the team during the recent stretch.  Hopefully, she will be okay.

Every Gotham FC goal was brilliant

As mentioned, the Bats had three different goal scorers against the Thorns.  Each goal was brilliant and highlighted the offensive dominance by Gotham FC.

Purce’s goal was a header into the ground and came via a perfect ball from Freeman.  But it was the second goal, scored by Lavelle, which was the best one of the night.  She scored because Shaw had an impressive through-pass that allowed her to run ahead of the Portland defenders.  She powered through and only had goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to deal with.

Lavelle had a choice to make, and she shot the ball to the right of the keeper.  It was the correct move, for the ball rolled into the goal.  It was her intelligence and skill that made this one of the more brilliant goals on the season, despite it not being a golazo.

Then, Stengel’s goal was thanks to Lavelle.  The midfielder sent a back heel pass to the forward, and Stengel was in a diagonal position to the left of the goal.  That did not matter, for Stengel shot the ball into the back of the net on the right side to secure the three points for Gotham FC and ensure that the Thorns did not have any attack left in them.