In the team's home opener, NJ/NY Gotham FC lost 2-0 to the Orlando Pride. This was an unfortunate reversal from last year's home encounter with the Pride where the Bats came away 3-1 victors in their strongest performance of the season.

Those were the moments late Saturday night before forward Mak Whitham, 14, became the youngest player in NWSL history, coming on for World Cup champion Esther in the final minutes of Gotham’s 1-1 draw with Seattle Reign. Whitham told ESPN afterward that her coach had said, “Enjoy the game and just be you.”