By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria international Ifeoma Onumonu ended the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season in the United States of America (USA) with a goal for Gotham FC as they forced Portland Thorns to an dramatic 3-3 draw.
Gotham FC had to come from two-goal down to earn a 3-3 draw at the Red Bull Arena, Harrison after 37-year-old Japanese midfielder, Nahomi Kawasumi opened the scoring for home side in the 39th minute.
The goal woke Portland Thorns from the slumber as American forward, Sophia Smith scored two goals in the space of two minutes before the end of the first half to hand the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead.
Despite gaining the driving seat, Portland Thorns did not take their foot off the pedal as Morgan Weaver netted the third for the visitors eight minutes after the restart of the encounter.
Margret Purce, however inspired the comeback bid in the 56th minute when she set up Ifeoma Onumonu to end her goal-drought and pull one back for Gotham FC to start the second-half resurgence.
16 minutes from full time, McCall Zerboni made it 3-3 for desperate home fans inside the 4,752 occupied Red Bull Arena, Harrison.
Onumonu who started the game for Gotham FC saw 70 minutes of action and was replaced by Paige Monghan after scoring her second goal of the season.
In the meantime, the 28-year-old striker, who is on Nigeria roster for the friendly against Japan, will now shift her focus on international duties with the Super Falcons ahead of Thursday clash against the Japanese in Kobe.
For Gotham FC, they ended the 2022 season at the foot of the 12-team NWSL table and will missed out on the NWSL Playoffs which will determine the champions of the United States of America women’s soccer league.
