Despite enjoying a player advantage for the final 26 minutes of the match, NJ/NY Gotham FC was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Washington Spirit in the 2022 Challenge Cup in Leesburg, Va. on Friday night.
Washington dominated the game between National Women’s Soccer League teams, outshooting the visitors, 29-8, and playing 10 shots on target compared to only two for Gotham FC before a crowd of 3,400 of Segra Field.
Gotham grabbed a 23rd-minute lead as Kristie Mewis converted a penalty kick after she was fouled in the box.
The Spirit pushed the action in the second half and it paid off in the 61st minute as Ashley Hatch buried an Ashley Sanchez feed.
Three minutes later, however, Washington was forced to play with 10 players after Amber Brooks was awarded her second yellow card of the match.
The hosts came close to scoring as Hatch and Tara McKeown sent shots just wide on crosses from Trinity Rodman in the 72nd minute and Kelley O’Hara in the 74th minute, respectively. Gotham goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris stopped another shot from Hatch in the 75th minute.