Gotham FC wins the NWSL Challenge Cup for the first time in club history | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC started the second half in the best possible way as they defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 to win the first NWSL Challenge Cup in club history. They had previously reached the final on two occasions, once in 2020 under a different format, and again in 2024. Both times, they came up short, suffering losses to Portland Thorns FC and San Diego Wave FC, respectively.

As mentioned, this was the best possible way for Gotham FC to start this second half of the NWSL season. Even though they won their last game before the break, the club will have undoubtedly gone into the break with a bad taste in their mouth with how things went in Mexico for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. This is a great way to wash out that taste.

While there was a trophy on the line in this game, this was not a disaster of a loss for Kansas City. While they were not fantastic in this game, they were not poor either. They will probably view this game as a great tune-up match for when the regular season starts back up next week.

On the other side, beginning the second half with a trophy was the momentum builder Gotham was looking for. The Bats have been in great form in league play so far this season, and with a tough start to their second-half schedule, this will help them potentially be further up to speed than other teams in the next few games.

Gotham FC added to the trophy cabinet

Gotham FC started the game with a bit of a different look in their in-possession shape. It was a 3-back setup like fans have seen in the past, but instead of Jaelin Howell dropping into the backline, she stuck in midfield alongside Savannah McCaskill. Instead, the backline shifted to the left with Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, and Jess Carter lining up as the center-back trio. This allowed Guro Reiten the freedom to play further forward as more of a wing-back with fewer defensive responsibilities than if she were a left-back.

The first big chance of the fixture came in the eighth minute when a giveaway from Davidson deep in her defensive third saw Croix Bethune have a point-blank chance in front of goal. Thankfully, Ann-Katrin Berger stood tall and made a huge stop to keep the game scoreless.

Eventually, the Bats took the lead with about 10 minutes to go in the half. Initially, it looked like a foul was committed on Jordynn Dudley in the box for what should have been a penalty kick, but that went uncalled. On the ensuing corner, Lo'eau Labonta fouled Jaelin Howell on the edge of the box, which was this time called a penalty kick.

Esther González stepped up and buried the penalty kick to give Gotham the 1-0 lead going into halftime. This was González's 29th goal in a Gotham jersey, which put her into sole possession of the number one spot in club history, one goal ahead of the rumored Sam Kerr.

Afterward, the first major chance of the second half came in the 64th minute when Temwa Chawinga finished a nice give-and-go sequence with Michelle Cooper, but the 2x NWSL MVP had her goal called back for offside. It seemed like the offside came in the initial through ball to Chawinga prior to the sequence with Cooper.

In the 74th minute, Mandy Freeman made her 2026 NWSL debut as she came on for Carter. Six minutes later, she eclipsed the 10,000-minute mark with all 10,000 of those coming with Gotham FC/Sky Blue FC.

In the 79th minute, the Bats doubled the lead through Jordynn Dudley. The rookie first won the ball off of Current defender Kayla Sharples before getting her all sorts of twisted around and creating enough space for herself to slot the ball into the far post past goalkeeper Marisa Jordan. The goal gave Gotham a 2-0 lead.

And that was all they needed as the NJ/NY side held on to win 2-0 and capture their first NWSL Challenge Cup. After coming up short in both the FIFA Champions Cup and CONCACAF W Champions Cup earlier this season, this win will feel extra sweet. It also serves as a great catalyst and momentum builder as they head into the second half of the season.

Despite the long layoff, Gotham FC played very well in this game and looked very Gothamy in their performance. There was a bit of rust early on, but that quickly went away. They looked like the well-oiled machine that seemed to be developing before the break. Now, hopefully, they can do the same thing when they resume the regular season next week against San Diego.