HARRISON, NJ(SMI-GLOBAL-WOMEN-SPORTS-NEWS-03.23.25)-Gotham FC fell 2-0, against the reigning 2024 NWSL champions " Orlando Pride", allowing two goals in the first half to give the Bats its first loss of the 2025 NWSL young season at its newly named stadium " Sports Illustrated Stadium " in Harrison, NJ.

In addition to playing at its new namely stadium " Sports Illustrated " formerly known as " Red Bulls Arena", also debuted its new Sky Blue uniform as part of the its new look for the NWSL 2025.

Gotham FC fell behind 1-0, very early in the game when Orlando top-striker 
Martha centered a dead ball inside the 18, from 35-yards away finding forward Barbara Banda( Zambia) who crossed it with a header to Gotham's defender Lilly Reale who tried to clear it but instead ended in back of the net for her own goal to give the visitors 1-0, at 01:18 mark.

Both teams battled back & forth almost to the end of the first half without any major opportunity to score, playing solid defense until Orlando's Barbara Banda during an individual counter-attack through the middle ran 30-yards evading
4-defenders and crossed it to Angelina to left-side and who was brought down inside the 18' by defender Jess Carter for penalty call by the head referee Brad Jensen.

Orlando Pride top-striker "Martha" executed the penalty shot scoring with a rolling left-footed to the opposite goalpost to extend and sealed the 2-0, victory for the Visitors over Gotham FC. 

The Bats outperformed Orlando Pride in the game stats but the goals was difference in the game :
Shots: 15 to 6
Shots in Target: 4-4
Possession: 60% vs 40%
Passes: 396 vs 272



Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated