Gotham FC booked their place in the Concacaf W Champions Cup semifinals without scoring a goal. A 0-0 draw with the Washington Spirit at Subaru Park was enough to keep the defending champions unbeaten in the tournament and showed the clear contrast between the two sides.
With the result, Gotham stretched its unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches and finished the group stage on top with 10 points. The Spirit, sitting on seven, will now have to fight for qualification in their last group game against Monterrey on October 15.
Defenses in control during the first half
The opening 45 minutes were far from dull, with both teams creating chances. The Spirit nearly struck first in the 24th minute when Stainbrook worked a short corner to Kate Wiesner, but the move was pulled back for offside. Soon after, Gift Monday sprinted onto a long pass and tested Shelby Hogan, who stood firm. Gotham’s best look came in stoppage time when Katie Stengel slipped free in the box and hit hard, only for MacIver to react with a sharp save to keep it scoreless. Both keepers ensured the deadlock stayed intact heading into the break.
More urgency, no breakthrough
The second half picked up the tempo. Within three minutes MacIver denied Stengel at close range, and moments later Hogan was forced into action to stop Cantore. Gotham nearly found the opener in the 55th minute when Josie Hasbo hit the post and Schupansky’s backheel was cleared off the line by Esme Morgan.
The benches made their impact. The Spirit added Leicy Santos and Croix Bethune to tighten midfield control, while Gotham responded with Shaw, Lavelle, Sonnett, and Purce. Even with all that attacking talent on the field, the final word belonged to the goalkeepers. MacIver secured her third straight clean sheet in the competition, while Hogan’s stops kept Gotham’s unbeaten streak alive and sent them through to the semifinals.