ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – NJ/NY Gotham FC won 4-nil against LD Alajuelense to collect three points in its 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup debut in Group A on Thursday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
The NWSL champions wasted no time in starting their goal count, with FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion Esther Gonzalez striking from outside the box in the 3’ to score the first goal of the evening.
Katie Stengel converted from the penalty spot in the 31’ after being fouled by defender Keilyn Gomez in the box, extending the lead for the U.S. side.
Jenna Nighswonger scored the third goal of the night in the 45’, hitting a masterful free kick attempt that struck the inside of the crossbar before bouncing inside the goal.
Alajuelense captain Stephanie Blanco tried to pull one back in the 48’ with a long-range attempt but was denied by the crossbar.
Delanie Sheehan extended the lead to four for Gotham in the 54’, who took advantage of a lost ball in the area to send the ball into the bottom left corner of goal.
Yasmin Ryan was sent in the 73’ after receiving a second yellow card, leaving the U.S. club with nine players to finish the match.
After collecting its first win, Gotham FC will continue its W Champions Cup campaign in a clash of defending league champions when they host CF Monterrey of Liga MX Femenil on September 19 at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, United States.
LD Alajuelense will travel for its third game of the tournament to face Tigres UANL Femenil on October 3 at Estadio Universitario in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
