Midge Purce celebrates converting her PK. (Photo courtesy of Gotham FC)

NJ/NY Gotham FC started the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season with a 2-1 win over Angel City FC in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Second-half goals by Lynn Williams and Midge Purce, key saves by goalkeeper Abby Smith and superb defensive play in the final minutes gave Gotham FC the victory.

“I’m extremely proud of the team,” Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said in a statement. “I thought in the second half we showed a lot of character and we deserved to win the game. I’m very, very happy with the performance. They looked like a team that has been together for two years instead of two months.”

Williams agreed and elaborated.

“Everyone is excited, ecstatic to get three points,” she said. “It shows grit and mentality, finding a way to win.”

Williams’s game-winning goal came in the 65th minute off a pass from Midge Purce, who received the ball from Yazmeen Ryan. Purce froze the Angel City defense and sent the ball to her right tp Williams, who fired it inside the far post. It was Williams’ 58th NWSL goal, the most among U.S. players in league history, and her 16th game-winner. After being sidelined last season with an injury, it was Williams’ first NWSL goal since October 2021.

“We’ve been practicing 3 v 2 and 3 v 3 a lot,” Williams said. “When Midge flipped me the ball, I said, ‘Just hit the target.’ And it went in.”

Added Amorós: “Lynn showed so much composure and quality on that goal.”

Purce scored the equalizer in the 55th minute on a penalty kick, after Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir, who subbed in for Kelley O’Hara at the start of the second half, was brought down by Angel City goalkeeper Didi Haračić in the box. Purce converted in the top right corner.

The PK was the first in league history awarded after a review by VAR, which is making its debut this NWSL season. Gotham FC did not score a goal on a penalty last season.

Alyssa Thompson opened the scoring for Angel City in the 11th minute with a strike over the outstretched arms of Smith. Four minutes later, a goal from distance by Jun Endo of Angel City was called back after a review by VAR. Soon after, Smith, making her Gotham FC debut after signing with the club as a free agent, made a spectacular save off a free kick to keep the deficit at one goal, and later made key saves in the second half.

“Abby was very good,” Amoros said. “It’s never easy when you concede that first goal. She really grew as the game went on. I was very happy for her. She proved why she can be a starter for our team.”

The drama of the come-from-behind win near Hollywood was best described after the game by Purce.

“That was a crazy movie,” she said.

Midge Purce hadmany reasons to celebrates on Sunday night. (Photo courtesy of Gotham FC)

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.