A tale of two halves: Gotham FC falls 4-1 to Portland Thorns FC | OneFootball

Is NJ/NY Gotham FC breaking out and becoming an NSWL powerhouse in 2025?  Fans might have thought so after the team’s back-to-back wins against the North Carolina Courage and Angel City FC.  They scored seven goals in the two matches, a rarity for the Bats in 2024.

Therefore, high expectations entered the midweek game against Portland Thorns FC.  Tuesday’s late match and the second of three games on this road trip would give everyone a true idea of where the team is at this point.  While a draw would normally be an acceptable result away from home, the goal to secure all three points was on full display, especially after the last two performances.

Although it was shocking that Juan Carlos Amorós did not rotate too much of the squad, with the majority of the starters from Friday’s win starting again.  Perhaps the head coach felt there was enough time before Saturday’s fixture against the Washington Spirit.

Regardless, the lack of rotation eventually got to the team after a fantastic first half.  The second saw Portland take charge, and Gotham FC fell apart.  The Bats lost 4-1 in a game that was ultimately a tale of two halves.

Gotham FC suffers defeat in Portland

Things did not start off well for Gotham FC.  Portland went ahead 1-0 in the seventh minute after a superb team goal from the Rose City side.  Bruninha and Nealy Martin could not stop the pass from Caiya Hanks as the forward found Marie-Yasmine Alidou, who slotted home her first goal for her club.

The lead did not last. Just one minute later, the woman who cannot stop scoring scored again.  Gabi Portilho had options to send the ball into the box and found Esther González.  The Spaniard, who entered the game with four goals, was in a perfect spot in front of the goal.  She leveled the match with one touch and reminded the Thorns that this would not be easy.

At the same time, Portland did not allow the Bats to run all over them either.  Both teams continued to be threatening, with the NJ/NY team having the edge in possession.  The defenses limited one another, predominantly throughout that first half.

The visitors still created attacking sequences during the first 45 minutes and made life difficult for Portland.  The Bats were often successful with their pressuring as well, and would regain possession to help their attack and defense.

There were some shaky moments though where the Thorns should have gotten off a shot.  However, when someone failed to defend or gave the ball away, others limited those shots by the opposition and cleared the ball.  It also helped that the home team failed missed some of their passes in the box or players ultimately could not get to the ball.

However, this is not a story of a draw. Portland was stronger in the second half compared to the first.  This led to the Bats being busier in their end, so the backline’s ability to clean up messes and threats was helpful with keeping the match level, but only until the 61st minute.

This time, Gotham FC could not keep Portland from taking a shot and scoring.  Hanks, who assisted on the first goal, struck a one-touch volley beyond Ann-Katrin Berger.  The perfect placement of the shot put the home team up 2-1.  All it took was some momentum and confidence.

Unfortunately, for Gotham, the surge from the Thorns dismantled them.  Passes were not concise, the team struggled to regain possession and keep the ball when they did, and the high energy from the first half dissipated.  Truthfully, the lack of rotation might have been a disservice.  Sure, it worked in the first half, but the Thorns took advantage in the second.

To make matters worse, the home team was awarded a penalty kick, which Jayden Lee Perry converted with ease in the 73rd minute.  Then, poor defense on an attacking sequence saw Deyna Castellanos tack on another seven minutes later.

The second goal from Portland proved that there is work to be done with Gotham.  The team should have reacted similarly to how they did in the first half.  Instead, they were lost on the pitch.  The chemistry and confidence built in the last two games disappeared.

Plus, the loss highlights that the Bats can be a great team, but they are not there yet to be considered one of the best of the best in the NWSL.  Also, Amorós clearly did not prepare his players for a rejuvenated Portland team that came out of the locker room after halftime.

Gotham FC would have, at the minimum, preferred to leave with a point.  Instead, they now must continue their road trip and play the Washington Spirit, a team that has had their number over the last year.