Photo Copyright Vincent Carchietta for USA TODAY Sports
“It’s been a long time since I’ve done this,” said Mana Shim as she took the podium at a post-game press conference.
NJ/NY Gotham FC had just been eliminated from the 2023 UKG Challenge Cup following a 1-1 draw with the Orlando Pride on August 9, but the moment was bittersweet. It had been eight years and four days since Shim last scored in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Fighting back tears, Shim reflected on her first goal since 2015.
“I couldn’t even celebrate [when I scored] because I was like, we have to win this game,” she said. “Now that I have some time to reflect on it, it’s obviously amazing. I’m just so grateful that [Gotham] trusted me to even be in the position to be on the field at that time. I don’t want to get emotional, but it was really special.”
