3 things we learned from Gotham FC's Challenge Cup win over Kansas City | OneFootball

On a rainy Friday night in Columbus, Ohio, NJ/NY Gotham FC played the Kansas City Current in the NWSL Challenge Cup.  The match was a one-game tournament between the 2025 NWSL Champions and the NWSL Shield winners, with the Bats and Current being, respectively.  In some ways, this was a meaningless game, but a trophy was still on the line.

Despite spending plenty of time trying to keep Kansas City out of the goal, Gotham FC still came out on top, winning 2-0 and securing their first trophy of the season.  The Bats were extremely busy in their own half, for their opposition’s pressure made it difficult to move into the attack.  But obviously, the NJ/NY side was still strong offensively, making it count when they were near the goal.

A penalty kick in the first half, taken by Esther González, was the game winner.  But the incredible goal by Jordynn Dudley in the second half sealed the outcome.  She individually regained possession, maneuvered the ball into the box, and used the slick ground to send the ball into the left side of the goal.

This was a solid way to start the resumption of the 2026 season.  So, here are three things we learned from Gotham FC’s Challenge Cup win.

Should Gotham FC be concerned about Tierna Davidson?

Since coming back from her injury, Tierna Davidson has mostly been solid in her return to Gotham FC.  It has not been perfect, but that is to be expected.  Many players coming back from ACL tears sometimes need close to or a full season of playing to return to normalcy.

However, over the last few games, Davidson has had some uncharacteristic moments that might have fans thinking that something is not right.  In the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, she was not good at all.  But then again, the entire backline made mistakes and played poorly during the two matches.  Hence, it was somewhat overlooked.

But when she played for the USWNT during the international break, she made a few mistakes and struggled against Brazil in the first game, in which the US lost.  And now, she made a terrible mistake against the Current.  She had an awful giveaway right near the goal, losing control of the ball in a way that is not who she is.  Thankfully, Ann-Katrin Berger made the vital save.  Otherwise, Gotham would have been down 1-0.

She did pick herself back up afterward, but Davidson was not her lights-out self that she is in the backline.  With that said, though, she was still very good.  Even she has a higher standard compared to other defenders.

Gotham FC’s backline was still a beast

Meanwhile, the Bats might have scored, but the Gotham FC backline was critical to the win.  They limited KC to six shots, even though the teams spent so much time in the NJ/NY side’s defensive half.  The Current’s pressure made it difficult to go into the final third.

And of course, one cannot forget about Berger, who had three saves.  But the amount of times she impeded attacking chances by stopping a play or getting the ball in the air made her extremely involved throughout the fixture.  Like the backline, she was important to the win.

It is time to do away with the Challenge Cup

When the Challenge Cup first started, it was due to COVID and the shortened season.  After, it turned into a tournament during the season.  And eventually, it became a one-game tournament where the NWSL Champions and Shield winners play a match.

Now, with the move to a neutral site, the Cup has somewhat lost its charm.  Truth be told, it really did not matter whether Gotham won or lost, for the trophy does not feel as valuable compared to others.  Sure, some might argue it is to settle who the best team is, and other leagues have similar games around the world.  But even those matches do not matter.

It is time for the NWSL to do away with the Challenge Cup.  Gotham and the Current likely would have been better off preparing for their first NWSL games like the rest of the league.  And again, neither team was at home, which would have enhanced the match.  Alas, money talks, so it likely will not go away.