September 9 – Esther Gonzalez scored in the third minute of overtime when NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the Houston Dash, 2–1, on Sunday in Harrison, NJ)
The two teams were tied in the 17th minute. Mandy Freeman passed the ball into the attacking zone and substitute Lynn Williams headed the ball into the goal from the baseline. She passed the ball to Esther in the box, who beat two defenders to score her third goal of the season and first since April.
Gotham FC (11 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses, 37 points) bounced back from a loss to Orlando last weekend. The Chargers (3-11-5, 14 points) lost their fifth consecutive game and haven’t won in league play since late May.
Gotham FC took the lead in the 10th minute. Houston took a goal kick and Gotham players controlled the goal with a few headers. The ball was passed to Esther and her touch put Yazmin Ryan in the lead.
Seven minutes later, Diana Ordóñez headed into the penalty area off a cross from Avery Patterson for her fifth goal of the season for Houston.
Valorant 4, Wave 1
Alex Morgan said goodbye to professional football for the last time, but North Carolina spoiled her retirement game by beating San Diego.
Morgan, who decided to retire on Thursday, played 15 minutes before being substituted for the last time. The women’s soccer superstar had a chance to score the final goal from the penalty spot, but Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy saved the shot. Morgan hugged her teammates, kicked off her shoes in midfield and left the game to a standing ovation.
Haley Hopkins, Fely Rauch, Bianca St-Georges and Meredith Speck (10-8-1, 31 points) scored the Courage goals as they have won five of their last six league games.
Kennedy Wesley scored for the Waves (3-9-7, 16 points), whose goaltender Karen Sheridan was sent off in the 60th minute after a VAR review determined she fouled a North Carolina player and voided the score.
Pride 1, Red Star 0
Marta’s beautiful goal in the 37th minute was enough for Orlando to beat Chicago and remain undefeated in Bridgeview, Illinois.
On offense for the Pride (14-0-5, 47 points), the ball was passed to Marta on the 18-yard line. She passed the ball to a teammate who rushed into the penalty area, received the ball, and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net for her sixth goal of the season.
Anna Moorhouse made two saves for Orlando. Alyssa Naeher made just one save for Chicago (7-10-2, 23 points), which was unable to tie the game despite heavy pressure in the final minutes. Red Star’s Mallory Swanson saved a shot in second-half stoppage time.
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