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Gotham FC moved another step closer to capturing the NWSL Shield with a 2-1 victory over the Orlando Pride on Sunday.
Midge Purce and Tierna Davidson led the way for Gotham’s offense as the club was without six players, including two of its biggest names, Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw, and even head coach Juan Carlos Amorós was dealing with a stomach bug that forced him to miss his post-match media obligations.
Purce found the back of the net in the 22nd minute with a header from 10 yards out after Guro Reiten sent a well-placed ball into the box to set up the goal.
Davidson scored what proved to be a crucial second goal for Gotham in the 62nd minute, cleaning up a loose ball that hit off the crossbar following a shot by Reiten.
Solai Washington scored three minutes later to pull Orlando back within one, but Gotham did not concede another goal in the victory.
“I think what’s contributed to this is just kind of the togetherness — everyone’s kind of backs against the wall,” Gotham assistant coach Shaun Harris told reporters.
While Gotham could have clinched the franchise’s first NWSL Shield on Sunday, the club didn’t entirely get all the help it needed to do so. While the Kansas City Current defeated the Washington Spirit, the Boston Legacy and the San Diego Wave played to a draw, meaning Gotham will have to wait until Decision Day next Sunday to secure it.
Gotham can win the regular-season title by beating Utah on Decision Day.
It would mark the first time Gotham have claimed the NWSL Shield, and it would be the second trophy that the club has won in 2026, after winning the NWSL Challenge Cup in June.
Gotham have one final regular-season match on Nov. 1 before they begin the playoffs, where they will host the No. 8 seed should the standings hold as they are.