Instant Reaction: Set-pieces are the Achilles Heel for Gotham

There was much to celebrate in Gotham FC's 2-1 win over Portland Thorns FC last weekend in front of a record 15,540 spectators, but one takeaway from the result was clear for left-back Mandy Freeman. "Set pieces," Freeman said after the match. "You never want to concede off a set-piece so that is something that we are really going to be focusing on going into the next game."

Earlier today, it was Washington Spirit's turn to take advantage of a set piece, scoring with a free-kick just outside the box to equalize in stoppage time. It was a nearly-identical goal to last week's, but the result was more devastating: After the game ended in a draw in extra time, Washington won the penalty shootout to knock out Gotham and advance to the NWSL Championship Final.

The match started hardly in the favor of Gotham FC, with two early bookings for Jess Carter and Delanie Sheehan. While chances were had on both sides, the Spirit truly made that period its own with an xG of 1.1 to Gotham's 0.6.

Nonetheless, Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger proved to be the X-factor for her side early. Berger's four saves in the first half prevented an early lead for the home-field team, including a clutch double-save in the opening ten minutes.

Going into the dressing room knowing your keeper is singlehandedly keeping you in the contest proved to be enough motivation for forward Esther González, scoring her first goal of the postseason and 10th goal of the year in the 56th minute. The assist came from midfielder Yazmeen Ryan, who was making a habit of creating dangerous chances in the attacking third with a total of eight crosses produced in the match along with a high heat map to demonstrate her efforts high on the right flank for Gotham. Ryan managed to produce enough space by the goal line to loft a ball into the box iwhich Gonzalez perfectly hit behind Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

Only nine minutes later, head coach Juan Carlos Amorós used his second substitution of the match to replace Freeman, who had the team's trainers tend to her briefly before her exit for Brazilian international Bruninha. Both of Gotham's full-backs had fresh legs at this point, with Jess Carter being replaced for Jenna Nighswonger during half-time. It echoed a similar move to last week's match, indicating the level of energy that is exerted due to the high-pressing tactics of Amorós.

But the fatigue started to catch up to Gotham as they conceded eight free kicks in the second half. This did not mix well with Gotham's struggles on defending set-pieces this season. A Spirit free kick in the 93rd minute had midfielder Makenna Morris hit a pinged ball across the box to be headed in by midfielder Hal Hershfelt.

Gotham barely held on through the end of extra time after Bruninha left the game after earning a second yellow card in the 101st minute. Berger's nine-save heroics helped Gotham get to penalty kicks, but she couldn't stop any of Washington's attempts from the spot. Gotham couldn't convert any of their, missing three in a row from 12 yards out.

Washington advanced to the NWSL Championship on penalties, but you could say that Gotham was knocked out as much by Spirit's set-piece goal more than 30 minutes earlier. The combination of heavy legs from high-level Gotham football and the nerves of a penalty shootout did not mix well. It sent Gotham home one week earlier than they would have wanted.