Gotham FC Claims Challenge Cup Victory Over Current in Historic Ohio Match

FolioPitch.com – 28 June 2026 | In a landmark event for women’s soccer in the Buckeye State, Gotham wins Challenge Cup over Current in first Ohio professional women s soccer match on Friday night at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus. The 2-0 victory marked Ohio’s first professional women’s soccer game, setting the stage for the NWSL’s 18th expansion team arriving in 2028.

The annual Challenge Cup pits the reigning NWSL champion against the Shield winner, and this edition provided competitive action during the World Cup hiatus. Both Gotham and Kansas City Current entered the match tied for fifth and sixth place in the league standings, but the narrative carried extra weight for the Current, who sought revenge for their 2025 playoff quarterfinal loss to Gotham.

Kansas City applied heavy pressure in the opening half-hour, but Gotham’s defense held firm. The breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta fouled Jaelin Howell in the box, earning a penalty. Esther González calmly converted to give Gotham a 1-0 lead. The Current thought they had equalized in the 63rd minute through Temwa Chawinga, but the goal was ruled offside after video review.

Gotham sealed the win in the 79th minute when rookie Jordynn Dudley—the standout star of the season—dribbled past defender Kayla Sharples and slotted a low shot into the left corner. “Winning that ball back herself and driving forward and making something out of nothing came at a really critical point in the game and gave us some assurance,” said Gotham defender Tierna Davidson. “It’s something we’re not surprised by, but it’s always very impressive.”

Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós praised his team’s defensive effort. “We played arguably the best team at scoring goals over the last couple of years, and we were able to really limit their chances,” he noted. He also highlighted Dudley’s two-way contributions, pressing and tackling to disrupt Kansas City’s rhythm. Dudley herself is eager to carry that momentum into the league’s return next weekend. “It’ll be really useful in future games knowing that we need to press and put pressure on the opposition’s back line,” she said.

The match was a significant milestone for women’s soccer in Ohio. Columbus will host the NWSL’s 18th expansion team starting in 2028, and Friday’s contest offered a glimpse of the sport’s growing footprint in the region. As the league takes a month-long break for the World Cup, Gotham wins Challenge Cup over Current in first Ohio professional women s soccer match provides a moment of celebration for the reigning champions and a warning to rivals that they remain formidable.

With only two shots on goal, both converted, Gotham proved clinical. Kansas City, meanwhile, will rue missed chances and the disallowed goal. The result leaves both teams with work to do when the NWSL regular season resumes, but for now, Gotham wins Challenge Cup over Current in first Ohio professional women s soccer match will be remembered as a historic night in Columbus.

The Challenge Cup victory adds another trophy to Gotham’s cabinet, reinforcing their status as one of the league’s elite. As the season progresses, fans can expect more drama and excellence from a team that knows how to win when it matters most.