SAN DIEGO — When NJ/NY Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amoros thought about the moments that made his team an NWSL championship contender, his mind kept coming back to Snapdragon Stadium. It was here, in August, that Gotham lost four players to significant injuries and finished the match with 10 players and midfielder Nealy Martin playing in goal. Gotham lost that game but showed a resolve while under duress that impressed Amoros.
History repeated on Saturday. Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught was sent off in second-half stoppage time with her team leading OL Reign by a goal in the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League Championship. Gotham had used all its substitution windows, so Martin put on the gloves and a spare goalkeeper kit for the final seconds to preserve the victory. Gotham’s wall, which Haught helped organize by staying on the field during several minutes of confusion following the red card, blocked Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle‘s shot to prevent Martin from having to make a save.
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“I can’t believe, after saying that yesterday, Mandy Haught gets sent off in the 95th minute and Nealy Martin had to finish the Championship in goal for us to win it,” said Amoros, drenched in beer from celebrations this…
