Shaw Becomes Youngest to 25 NWSL Goals as Gotham FC Downs Stars 3-1

September 25, 2026 Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJ

Jaedyn Shaw scores first career brace in 3-1 victory over Chicago. (photo courtesy of gothamfc.com)

Gotham FC continued its march toward the NWSL Shield with a dominant 3-1 victory over the Chicago Stars FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Backed by an aggressive attacking display, Gotham kept over 70% of the possession and extended their formidable home unbeaten streak.

From the opening whistle, Gotham FC dictated the tempo, pinning the bottom-of-the-table Stars deep in their own half. The constant pressure bore fruit in just the 9th minute through a brilliant attacking sequence. Forward Sam Kerr worked space on the edge of the box and delivered a precise, low pass across the face of goal. Jaedyn Shaw timed her run perfectly, meeting the ball cleanly to slot home the opening strike. Gotham continued to dominate the midfield and limit the visitors from manufacturing any meaningful offensive rhythm, but were unable to capitalize on other quality chances and headed into the locker room with a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

Gotham FC starting X1 vs. Chicago. (photo courtesy of gothamfc.com)

Any hopes of a Chicago comeback evaporated early in the second half as Gotham's playmakers continued to push the tempo in hopes of another goal. In the 50th minute, Guro Reiten found space on the flank and bent an inviting cross toward the far post. Sam Kerr rose above the Chicago backline, hammering a textbook header past the goalkeeper to double the advantage. The home side refused to let up, executing quick passing sequences against a tiring Chicago defense. In the 66th minute, USWNT star Rose Lavelle, driving forward, laid a smart ball back to the top of the box. Shaw collected it in stride and finessed a clinical right-footed shot directly into the bottom corner to secure her brace and extend the lead to 3-0. Shaw's goal marked her 25th in NWSL regular season play, making her the youngest player in league history to achieve this milestone.

Despite being thoroughly outplayed and held without a touch in Gotham's box for the vast majority of the match, the Chicago Stars FC kept fighting to break through the defensive line late. In the 87th minute, a heavy touch from forward Simone Charley forced a chaotic defensive clearance attempt by Jess Carter. The ball deflected out to Micayla Johnson, who drove a cross-goal pass to the back post. Rookie midfielder Tessa Dellarose anticipated the play, tapping the ball into the back of the net to deny Gotham the clean sheet. While the late consolation goal gave the traveling Stars a late moment to celebrate, the night firmly belonged to the dominant league leaders.

Shaw celebrates her 25th career goal in league play. (photo courtesy of gothamfc.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haw5fP5jT2s

Gotham FC 3 - 1 Chicago Stars FC

Scoring Summary:

Gotham FC

9’ - Jaedyn Shaw (Sam Kerr)

50’ - Sam Kerr (Guro Reiten)

66’ - Jaedyn Shaw (Rose Lavelle)

Chicago Stars FC

87’ - Tessa Dellarose (Micayla Johnson)

Gotham FC (4-3-3): 30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK); 23 – Midge Purce (74’ 3 – Bruninha), 27 – Jess Carter, 15 – Tierna Davidson (C), 18 – Guro Reiten (66’ 8 – Taryn Torres); 7 – Jaelin Howell, 5 – Denise O’Sullivan, 16 – Rose Lavelle (75’ 14 – Talia Sommer); 2 – Jordynn Dudley (74’ 24 – Andrea Kitahata), 20 – Sam Kerr (81’ 25 – Meredith Speck), 10 – Jaedyn Shaw

Unused substitutes: 1 – Shelby Hogan (GK); 13 – Savannah McCaskill, 22 – Mandy Freeman, 28 – Tess Boade

Head coach: Juan Carlos Amorós

Chicago Stars FC (4-3-3): 1 – Alyssa Naeher (C) (GK); 11 – Nadia Gomes, 3 – Sam Staab, 77 – Maitane Lopez, 14 – Taylor Wood (77’ 18 – Simone Charley), 10 – Brianna Pinto, 31 – Anna Gasper (59’ 20 – Bea Franklin), 7 – Julia Grosso (77’ 34 – Tessa Dellarose), 28 – Emma Egizii (45’ 5 – Michelle Alozie), 9 – Mallory Swanson (45’ 23 – Micayla Johnson), 4 – Jenna Bike

Unused substitutes: 27 – Katie Atkinson (GK); 6 – Oihanne Valdezate, 15 – Elise Evans, 25 – Aaliya Farmer

Interim head coach: Karina Báez

Stats Summary:

GFC / CHI

Expected Goals: 2.51 / 1.11

Shots: 16 / 6

Shots on Goal: 7 / 1

Saves: 0 / 4

Corners: 3 / 0

Fouls: 10 / 13

Offside: 2 / 0

Misconduct Summary:

Gotham FC

20’ - Midge Purce (Yellow Card - Reckless Offense)

84’ - Bruninha (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul)

Chicago Stars FC

14’ - Anna Gasper (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul)

28’ - Brianna Pinto (Yellow Card - Tactical Foul)

89’ - Micayla Johnson (Yellow Card - Reckless Offense)