HOUSTON, WE WON: Gotham beats Dash for the first time in 4 years

Lynn Williams (10) celebrates with her teammates after scoring against Houston. (Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)

HOUSTON – Forward Lynn Williams’ record-breaking goal was all NJ/NY Gotham FC needed to record a 1-0 National Women’s Soccer League victory at the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday night.

Williams, who has scored in consecutive matches, is tied with Sam Kerr for the most career goals in the NWSL in all competitions (78).

Seventh-place Gotham FC (11 points), who beat the Dash for the first time since May 2021, improved to 3-2-2. Houston (six), which is in 13th place, dropped to 1-4-3.

“I think the players executed the game plan almost to perfection,” said head coach Juan Carlos Amoros. “I’m very, very proud of how they were able to perform like that in such a short period of time. We still have a lot of issues with players wanting to help the team, but they’re not quite ready to do it yet. How they go out there in a tough place like this, dominate the game offensively, defensively. Again, we’re close to 20 shots, and we’re really limiting the opposition to almost everything, I think, from start to finish.

In the eighth minute, Jenna Nighswonger delivered a precise cross to striker Ella Stevens. Stevens attempted a shot that was saved by Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell. An open Williams slid in on the rebound for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Gotham FC got their second chance in the 27th minute thanks to another delivery from Nighswonger – this time from a free kick. In a sea of ​​Dash defenders, Gotham FC midfielder Delanie Sheehan had the best look at goal, but her shot was deflected out of bounds before it could land on frame.

In the second half, Houston had a chance in the 81st minute, when Dash midfielder Sophie Schmidt found an open shot on a Gotham FC turnover in front of goal. Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a diving save near the post to protect the lead.