The NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC triumphed in the inaugural edition of the Concacaf W Champions Cup on Saturday, securing a 1-0 victory against Tigres thanks to a late goal by Esther Gonzalez. The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute, beginning with a penalty attempt by Gonzalez that was initially saved by Tigres goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez. However, Gonzalez reclaimed the ball and scored on the rebound.

ESTHER GETS IT DONE FOR @GOTHAMFC 🤩🦇 Her attempt is denied but she buries it off the rebound 😈 see here

The match showcased Gotham’s dominance, with 23 shots compared to Tigres’ seven, but locating the goal proved challenging against a defensive opponent. Gotham’s opportunity came in first-half stoppage time when Midge Purce obtained a penalty, which was thwarted by Itzel Gonzalez. Despite a chaotic scramble to regain possession, Gotham couldn’t find the net.

ITZEL GONZÁLEZ DENIES THE PENALTY!! 😱🚫 see here

With this win, Gotham adds another accolade to its impressive list of achievements after appointing Juan Carlos Amoros as coach prior to the 2023 season. The team has already claimed the NWSL Championship and the Concacaf W Champions Cup and were finals contenders in last season’s NWSL Challenge Cup and the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

“I feel fantastic. We really left it all out there and everyone fought hard until the end to earn this win,” remarked defender Mandy Freeman, reflecting on her journey since joining the team.

The Champions Cup marks a significant milestone in the evolution of women’s soccer, drawing parallels to the men’s game with upcoming international competitions like the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and Club World Cup slated for 2026 and 2028, respectively. Gotham becomes the first NWSL club qualifying for these tournaments.

Juan Carlos Amoros expressed the historical significance of the victory: “It’s a monumental moment for women’s soccer in the U.S., particularly in New York. We are progressively making our city a pivotal hub for football.”