Gotham FC pulls off the impossible by beating Kansas City Current in quarterfinals | OneFootball

In an almost impossible-to-imagine scenario, NJ/NY Gotham FC pulled off the upset, defeating the record-breaking Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time. This is the first time an eight-seed has beaten a one-seed since the playoffs expanded to eight teams in 2024.

In stark contrast to their 2-0 loss just last month to this same Current side, Gotham FC looked confident, was organized, and appeared to be on the same page. It is probably their best win of the season and really shows just how different a beast the playoffs are compared to the regular season. The NJ/NY side looked lost in their last few games of the regular season, and a performance of this level seemed to be as far away as ever. And yet they managed to compete with the Current, and at times, be the better team.

Kansas City was missing key attackers like MVP front-runner Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper. At the same time, it was revealed post-game that Bia Zaneratto played 100 minutes on a sprained MCL. The home side in no way played poorly, but Gotham seemed to have taken a lot from their most recent meeting and found the best ways to try and neutralize this Current attack.

"Underdogs my ass" was the headline quote from Jaedyn Shaw postgame. While some teams seemingly embrace the underdog tag, even at times when they aren't actually underdogs, Gotham, or at least Shaw, is not buying into that. They believed that they 100% had the capabilities to beat Kansas City, and they very clearly proved that even if the standings said the opposite should have happened instead.

Gotham FC's win is an upset for the ages

Gotham FC came out in the first half as the team in control, managing 68% possession and playing the vast majority of the opening 45 minutes in the attacking third. The Current had chances, though, as Ann-Katrin Berger first made a great save on a rocket shot from Ally Sentnor in the 17th minute before making a double save on Nichelle Prince just 12 minutes later.

The best chance of the first half came in the 44th minute when a great back-to-front passing sequence saw the ball end up at the feet of Gabi Portilho in the 18-yard box. Unfortunately, Portilho appeared to slip as she took the shot and ended up shanking it wide of the goal. The referee would then call for halftime minutes later, with Gotham probably feeling good with how they played in the first half.

As the second half got underway, Kansas City started to grow into the game, looking increasingly more dangerous as the half progressed through the opening 20 minutes. And just when it looked like the Current were going to be the team to score this game's opening goal, the Bats found the opener.

A lobbed pass from Emily Sonnett was not read perfectly by potential Defender of the Year Kayla Sharples, which allowed just enough space for Shaw to pick up the ball and dribble it into the box. She then slotted the ball into the far corner past Goalkeeper of the Year frontrunner Lorena to give Gotham a 1-0 lead.

While KC started the second half as the better team, that goal was fully deserved for the visitors, who had come out and played about as well as any visiting team ever has at CPKC Stadium.

Gotham continued to play well defensively, keeping Kansas City to zero shots on goal in the second half until the stoppage-time equalizer. Ellie Wheeler sent a ball into the box that Berger seemingly thought was headed towards the back post. However, it ended up coming towards her near the post, and the German international was too slow to react. She allowed the ball to squeak by her and tie the game, sending it to extra time.

As extra time began, the momentum seemed to have swung completely in the Current's direction. Gotham was held to zero shots in the opening 15 minutes of extra time, while Kansas City had a fair few chances to break the deadlock. Thankfully, though, the NJ/NY defense held strong and the game went to the break still tied at 1-1.

As the second extra time period started, the momentum then switched back to Gotham as they looked like the more dangerous side. And just as it seemed like this game was headed to penalty kicks, they managed a stunning late winner.

Katie Stengel, who held some of the blame for giving up the equalizer by not being strong enough defensively, scored the winning goal. A long free-kick from Berger at midfield was flicked on by the original goalscorer Shaw onto a streaking Stengel down the left wing, who blasted the ball off the crossbar and in.

And that goal is what sealed the deal for Gotham, who beat Kansas City for the first time in 12 tries. They also become just the second road team to win at CPKC Stadium and the first to do so this year. This sets up a semifinal matchup away to the Orlando Pride next weekend.

Some thoughts on the win

This is not the first time Stengel has scored a game-winning goal in extra time of a playoff game. In the semifinals of the 2023 playoffs against Portland Thorns FC, Stengel unleashed a fantastic curling effort in the 107th minute in what ended up being a 1-0 win for Gotham on their way to their championship win.

Some standout performers from today's game include Sonnett, who was a monster defensively and was seemingly everywhere out on the field, and also assisted on the game's first goal. Next is perhaps an unsung hero from this game, Jaelin Howell. Howell was the most fouled player as well as the one who won the most duels and tackles in the match. Berger, despite the error leading to the first KC goal, also had a great game today, making seven saves, including a number of spectacular ones.

And finally, one cannot forget Shaw. The 20-year-old had a truly incredible game, not even including the goal she scored. She also registered the assist on the game winner, and had the most shots and chances created in the match. While she has not put up the gaudy goal numbers since her record-breaking trade from the North Carolina Courage, she paid back most of, if not all, of the $1.25 million Gotham FC paid to acquire her in this playoff win.