Gotham advances to the playoffs with a win over the Royals

Yazmeen Ryan and Mandy Freeman each scored a first-half goal to lead NJ/NY Gotham to a 4-1 victory over the Utah Royals on Friday night in Sandy, Utah.

Gotham's Esther Gonzalez scored a brace late in the second half after Utah cut the deficit to one goal.

NJ/NY (17-4-5, 56 points) defeated Utah for the second time this year and ended the regular season with an eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1). Gotham, which is one point behind first-place Orlando Pride, will open the NWSL playoffs at home on November 10 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Hannah Betfort scored the only goal for the Royals in the second half.

Utah (7-15-4, 25 points) ended its four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1). The Royals were previously eliminated from playoff contention.

Ryan scored the first goal in the 15th minute. She grabbed a cross from Ella Stevens outside the 6-yard box and fired a high shot straight down the middle to get Gotham on the board.

Freeman extended the lead in the 17th minute. She curled a right-footed shot from outside the box into the near post, giving Gotham a two-goal lead.

The Royals finally equalized in the 74th minute when Betfort tracked down a long ball, beat two defenders and sent it home.

Gonzalez countered with a one-time long pass in the 77th minute, firing the ball past goalkeeper Mandy Haught's fingertips. Seven minutes later, Gonzalez scored her second goal.

–Field level media