On Saturday, February 18th, NJ/NY Gotham FC played the first of two scheduled preseason scrimmages. The team matched up against the Orlando Pride, conceding two goals in the first half to a final score of 2-0.
For Gotham FC and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, these preseason scrimmages are an opportunity to test out his system and see the players in an competitive environment. Despite the score line, Amorós was pleased with the club’s performance.
“First and foremost, I liked how [our players] tried to apply and implement the style of play that we want to have,” said Amorós. “The players really put that on the pitch and performed for 90 minutes. After we conceded that early goal, they were fantastic. I want to say, ‘Well done and let’s keep going in that direction’ because this was a really good first test, and I’m very happy with how everyone performed today.”
Every player currently available with the club got their first taste of action today in the scrimmage held at IMG Academy.
Goalkeepers Mandy Haught, Abby Smith and Michelle Betos split the 90 minutes of the scrimmage.
Starters included Haught, Taylor Smith, Ali Krieger, Kristen Edmonds, Imani Dorsey, Allie Long, Victoria Pickett, Jenna Nighswonger, Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, and Sinead Farrelly (trialist).
Substitutes were Smith (Abby), Betos, Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Iliana Hocking (trialist), Ellie Jean, Nahomi Kawasumi, Nealy Martin, Ashlyn Puerta (trialist), and McCall Zerboni.
Gotham FC will play another closed door scrimmage against the Chicago Red Stars on March 2nd.
For more information on Gotham FC and their preseason schedule, visit their website.