Gotham FC's shutout of the Utah Royals did not come from its goalkeeper. Ann-Katrin Berger had to make two saves all night. The work happened in front of her, where Jess Carter made 13 defensive interventions and Gotham cleared the ball 35 times, more than double Utah's 17.

Gotham beat Utah 2-0 on Sunday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in front of 11,209. The win put Gotham on 58 points from 29 matches, three clear of San Diego, and ESPN's standings now list Gotham as the NWSL Shield winner. Utah stayed on 47 points.

Utah Got Two Shots on Target

Utah finished with six shots, two on target, and was caught offside six times, per the ESPN match stats. Carter also completed 47 passes, the most on the team. Gotham had 54.7 percent of the ball but only eight shots, three on target.

Guro Reiten Early, Jaedyn Shaw Late

Guro Reiten scored in the 9th minute with a left-footed shot from the six-yard box. Jaedyn Shaw closed it in the 80th, finishing Midge Purce's cross. Purce led Gotham with two shots.

The two teams chasing Gotham both won Sunday. San Diego beat Bay FC 1-0 on a 9th-minute goal from Mimi Van Zanten, and Washington beat the Chicago Stars 2-0, with Trinity Rodman scoring in the 85th minute. Utah sits sixth on 47 points, level with Portland and Seattle.

Gotham, San Diego, Washington, Kansas City, Angel City, Utah, Portland and Seattle are marked as playoff qualifiers in the standings, according to ESPN. More from the league is on the BallerTube NWSL page.