Gotham FC midfielder McCall Zerboni (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Portland Thorns. (Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports)

NJ/NY Gotham FC finished its National Women’s Soccer League season from hell on what the team can consider an upbeat note.

The squad recorded a 3-3 draw with Portland Thorns at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night, denying the visitors the NWSL Shield.

Gotham FC overcame a 3-1 defect on second-half goals by Ifeoma Onumonu and McCall Zerboni to earn a point.

The team finished in 12th and last place with an abysmal 4-17-1 mark and 13 points, six points behind 11th-place Washington Spirit. Portland finished second with a 10-3-9 record and 39 points.

“We felt their energy,” said Zerboni, who scored the tying goal in the 74th minute, said of the crowd. “They understood when we needed them. I wanted to reward the fans and my teammates. I feel really humbled and grateful.”

Added Onumonu, who brought Gotham FC to within 3-2 in the 56th minute after Morgan Weaver gave Portland a two-goal lead three minutes earlier: “We wanted to give the fans something to cheer about. It was a great feeling. Hopefully there will be more in the future.”

Nahomi Kawasumi opened the scoring for the hosts in the 38th minute, but the Thorns took the lead at the half courtesy of a brace by Sophia Smith.

 

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.