The 2025 season is Gotham FC's 16th season as a professional women's soccer team and their 12th participating in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
Background
In 2024, Gotham FC finished the NWSL season in 3rd place and with a 17–4–5 record.[1] The team advanced past the quarterfinals stage of the playoffs with a 2–1 win over Portland Thorns FC[2] before being eliminated in the semifinals by the Washington Spirit.[3]
Gotham competed in three other competitions, kicking off 2024 with a defeat to 2023 shield winners San Diego Wave FC in the one-match NWSL Challenge Cup.[4] The team later competed in the first edition of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, where they made it to the championship match before falling at the hands of the Kansas City Current.[5] Finally, Gotham FC advanced to the knockout stage of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, which will be played in May 2025.[6]
Preseason
Gotham FC began preseason by announcing a flurry of departures in early December 2024, including defender Sam Hiatt[7] and midfielders Maitane López and Delanie Sheehan.[8][9][10] All three players later signed with fellow NWSL clubs as free agents.[11][12] On December 10, 2024, the club announced its end-of-year contract statuses. Five players were listed as out of contract: Michelle Betos, Mandy Freeman, McCall Zerboni, and forwards Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir, Midge Purce, and Jéssica Silva.[13] While Freeman and Silva both re-signed with Gotham,[14][15] the club announced that veteran midfielder Zerboni would not be returning to Gotham in 2025.[16]
Gotham continued to make roster moves in the form of trades as the new year approached. On December 20, the club executed a trade with Seattle Reign FC, involving the move of Lynn Williams and Cassie Miller to Seattle while also obtaining midfielder Jaelin Howell.[17] Another attacking departure occurred one week later, with Yazmeen Ryan being traded to the Houston Dash in exchange for a record-high[18] sum of allocation money.[19]
Several players were subsequently signed, filling in the gaps left behind by the club's departures. As part of the NWSL's transition from a college draft to free agency,[20] Gotham signed Sarah Schupansky, Lilly Reale, Khyah Harper, and Ryan Campbell to their first professional contracts.[21][22][23][24] The club also signed international players Stella Nyamekye and Gabi Portilho in late December.[25][26] On January 17, the club traded goalkeeper Abby Smith to the Houston Dash for $20,000 in intra-league transfer funds.[27]
Team
Current squad
- As of June 11, 2025[28][29]
| No.
|
Nat.
|
Name
|
Date of birth (age)
|
Since
|
Previous team
|
Notes[a]
|
| Goalkeepers
|
| 1
|
|
Shelby Hogan
|
(1998-05-10)May 10, 1998 (aged 26)
|
2025
|
Portland Thorns FC
|
|
| 12
|
|
Ryan Campbell
|
(2002-03-18)March 18, 2002 (aged 22)
|
2025
|
UCLA Bruins
|
|
| 26
|
|
Tyler McCamey
|
(2001-08-19)August 19, 2001 (aged 23)
|
2025
|
Princeton Tigers
|
IRP
|
| 30
|
|
Ann-Katrin Berger
|
(1990-10-09)October 9, 1990 (aged 34)
|
2024
|
Chelsea
|
INT
|
| 33
|
|
Michelle Betos
|
(1988-02-20)February 20, 1988 (aged 37)
|
2025
|
Gotham FC
|
IRP
|
| Defenders
|
| 3
|
|
Bruninha
|
(2002-06-16)June 16, 2002 (aged 22)
|
2022
|
Santos
|
INT
|
| 4
|
|
Lilly Reale
|
(2000-11-28)November 28, 2000 (aged 24)
|
2025
|
UCLA Bruins
|
|
| 6
|
|
Emily Sonnett
|
(1993-11-25)November 25, 1993 (aged 31)
|
2024
|
OL Reign
|
|
| 15
|
|
Tierna Davidson
|
(1998-09-19)September 19, 1998 (aged 26)
|
2024
|
Chicago Red Stars
|
|
| 22
|
|
Mandy Freeman
|
(1995-03-23)March 23, 1995 (aged 29)
|
2017
|
USC Trojans
|
|
| 24
|
|
Emerson Elgin
|
(2003-03-21)March 21, 2003 (aged 21)
|
2025
|
North Carolina Tar Heels
|
IRP
|
| 27
|
|
Jess Carter
|
(1997-10-27)October 27, 1997 (aged 27)
|
2024
|
Chelsea
|
|
| Midfielders
|
| 7
|
|
Jaelin Howell
|
(1999-11-21)November 21, 1999 (aged 25)
|
2025
|
Seattle Reign FC
|
INT
|
| 8
|
|
Taryn Torres
|
(1999-04-23)April 23, 1999 (aged 25)
|
2021
|
Virginia Cavaliers
|
|
| 14
|
|
Nealy Martin
|
(1998-04-22)April 22, 1998 (aged 26)
|
2023
|
Racing Louisville FC
|
|
| 16
|
|
Rose Lavelle
|
(1995-05-14)May 14, 1995 (aged 29)
|
2024
|
OL Reign
|
|
| 21
|
|
Sofia Cook
|
(2004-08-07)August 7, 2004 (aged 20)
|
2025
|
UCLA Bruins
|
|
| 90
|
|
Stella Nyamekye
|
(2005-09-18)September 18, 2005 (aged 19)
|
2025
|
Dreamz Ladies
|
INT
|
| —
|
|
Josefine Hasbo
|
(2001-11-20)November 20, 2001 (aged 23)
|
2025
|
Harvard Crimson
|
INT
|
| Forwards
|
| 9
|
|
Esther González
|
(1992-12-08)December 8, 1992 (aged 32)
|
2023
|
Real Madrid
|
INT
|
| 10
|
|
Geyse
|
(1998-03-27)March 27, 1998 (aged 26)
|
2025
|
Manchester United W.F.C.
|
INT
|
| 11
|
|
Sarah Schupansky
|
(2003-08-25)August 25, 2003 (aged 21)
|
2025
|
Pittsburgh Panthers
|
|
| 13
|
|
Ella Stevens
|
(1997-12-11)December 11, 1997 (aged 27)
|
2024
|
Chicago Red Stars
|
|
| 17
|
|
Mak Whitham
|
(2010-07-27)July 27, 2010 (aged 14)
|
2024
|
Slammers FC HB Køge
|
U18
|
| 18
|
|
Gabi Portilho
|
(1995-07-18)July 18, 1995 (aged 29)
|
2025
|
Corinthians
|
INT
|
| 20
|
|
Jéssica Silva
|
(1994-12-11)December 11, 1994 (aged 30)
|
2024
|
Benfica
|
INT
|
| 23
|
|
Midge Purce
|
(1995-09-18)September 18, 1995 (aged 29)
|
2020
|
Portland Thorns FC
|
INT
|
| 34
|
|
Khyah Harper
|
August 15, 2002 (aged 23)
|
2025
|
Minnesota Golden Gophers
|
|
- ^ denotes a season-ending injury.
Technical staff
- As of January 9, 2025[30]
Technical staff
| Role
|
Name
|
General manager
Head of soccer operations |
Yael Averbuch West
|
| Head coach |
Juan Carlos Amorós
|
| Assistant coaches
|
Jennifer Lalor
|
| Shaun Harris
|
| Ak Lakhani
|
| Goalkeeper coach |
Brody Sams
|
| Head of sports science |
Phillip Congleton
|
| Strength and conditioning coach |
Adrián Benítez Jiménez
|
Head of medical
Physical therapist |
Erin Morton
|
Competitions
Win
Draw
Loss
Friendlies
Regular season
Regular-season standings
Updated to match(es) played on June 22, 2025. Source:
NWSLRules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head to head points; 6) head to head goal goals scored; 7) fewer disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Group stage
Frazsiers Whip v Gotham FC
Semifinals
Final
2025–26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Group B
First match(es) will be played: 19 August 2025. Source:
CONCACAFRules for classification:
TiebreakersResults
Squad statistics
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Clean sheets
Disciplinary record
Transactions
Re-signings
| Date
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Notes
|
Ref.
|
| December 19, 2024
|
Mandy Freeman
|
DF
|
Re-signed to a two-year contract.
|
[14]
|
| December 31, 2024
|
Jéssica Silva
|
FW
|
Re-signed to a short-term contract through June 30, 2025.
|
[15]
|
| February 5, 2025
|
Midge Purce
|
FW
|
Re-signed to a one-year contract.
|
[31]
|
| May 15, 2025
|
Esther González
|
GK
|
Re-signed through the 2027 NWSL season.
|
[32]
|
Loans in
| Date
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Previous club
|
Fee/notes
|
Ref.
|
| March 24, 2025
|
Geyse
|
FW
|
Manchester United
|
Loaned through the 2025 NWSL season. Includes an option for a permanent transfer.
|
[33]
|
Transfers in
| Date
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Previous club
|
Fee/notes
|
Ref.
|
| December 20, 2024
|
Jaelin Howell
|
MF
|
Seattle Reign FC
|
Traded, along with $70,000 in allocation money and a 2025 international roster spot, in exchange for Cassie Miller and Lynn Williams.
|
[17]
|
| December 23, 2024
|
Sarah Schupansky
|
FW
|
Pittsburgh Panthers
|
Free agent rookie signed to a two-year contract with a club option.
|
[21]
|
| December 24, 2024
|
Stella Nyamekye
|
MF
|
Dreamz Ladies F.C.
|
Acquired in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee and signed to a three-year contract with a mutual option.
|
[25]
|
| December 30, 2024
|
Gabi Portilho
|
FW
|
Corinthians
|
Signed to a two-year contract with an option.
|
[26]
|
| December 31, 2024
|
Shelby Hogan
|
GK
|
Portland Thorns FC
|
Traded, along with $40,000 in allocation money, in exchange for $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds and a 2025 international roster spot.
|
[34]
|
| January 3, 2025
|
Lilly Reale
|
DF
|
UCLA Bruins
|
Rookie signed to a three-year contract.
|
[22]
|
| January 8, 2025
|
Khyah Harper
|
FW
|
Minnesota Golden Gophers
|
Rookie signed to a one-year contract.
|
[23]
|
| January 10, 2025
|
Ryan Campbell
|
GK
|
UCLA Bruins
|
Rookie signed to a one-year contract.
|
[24]
|
| January 29, 2025
|
Sofia Cook
|
MF
|
UCLA Bruins
|
Rookie signed to a two-year contract with a mutual option.
|
[35]
|
| April 12, 2025
|
Michelle Betos
|
GK
|
Gotham FC
|
Signed to a short-term injury replacement contract.
|
[36]
|
| Emerson Elgin
|
DF
|
North Carolina Tar Heels
|
| April 17, 2025
|
Tyler McCamey
|
GK
|
Princeton Tigers
|
[37]
|
| June 10, 2025
|
Josefine Hasbo
|
MF
|
Harvard Crimson
|
Signed to a three-year contract through 2027.
|
[38]
|
Transfers out
| Date
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Destination club
|
Fee/notes
|
Ref.
|
| December 4, 2024
|
Delanie Sheehan
|
MF
|
Houston Dash
|
Free agent.
|
[8][39]
|
| December 5, 2024
|
Maitane López
|
MF
|
Chicago Stars FC
|
Free agent.
|
[9][40]
|
| December 6, 2024
|
Sam Hiatt
|
DF
|
Portland Thorns FC
|
Free agent.
|
[7][12]
|
| December 10, 2024
|
Michelle Betos
|
GK
|
Gotham FC
|
Out of contract.
|
[13]
|
| Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir
|
FW
|
|
| McCall Zerboni
|
MF
|
|
| December 20, 2024
|
Cassie Miller
|
GK
|
Seattle Reign FC
|
Both players traded in exchange for $70,000 in allocation money, a 2025 international roster spot, and Jaelin Howell.
|
[17]
|
| Lynn Williams
|
FW
|
| December 27, 2024
|
Yazmeen Ryan
|
MF
|
Houston Dash
|
Traded, along with $80,000 in intra-league transfer funds, in exchange for $400,000 in allocation money and a 2025 international roster spot.
|
[19]
|
| January 17, 2025
|
Abby Smith
|
GK
|
Houston Dash
|
Traded in exchange for $20,000 in intra-league transfer funds.
|
[27]
|
| January 31, 2025
|
Crystal Dunn
|
FW
|
Paris Saint-Germain
|
Mutual contract termination.
|
[41]
|
| April 17, 2025
|
Cece Kizer
|
FW
|
Utah Royals
|
Mutual contract termination.
|
[42]
|
Injury listings
| Date
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
List
|
Injury
|
Ref.
|
| April 17, 2025
|
Shelby Hogan
|
GK
|
45-day injury list
|
Thumb injury.
|
[37]
|
Awards
References
- ^ NWSL. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "Lavelle's late goal sends Gotham into the NWSL semifinals with 2-1 win over Portland". KPTV. Associated Press. November 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "Match Recap: Gotham FC falls in Penalties against Washington Spirit". Gotham FC. November 16, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ NWSL (March 15, 2024). "San Diego Wave FC Wins 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Against NJ/NY Gotham FC as National Women's Soccer League Kicks off 2024 Campaign". NWSL. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "KC Current claim inaugural Summer Cup title". ESPN.com. October 26, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "Estadio Universitario in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, awarded 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals". Concacaf. December 26, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC and defender Sam Hiatt Part Ways". Gotham FC. December 6, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC and midfielder Delanie Sheehan Part Ways". Gotham FC. December 4, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC and midfielder Maitane López Part Ways". Gotham FC. December 5, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Patience is a virtue: why concerns with Gotham FC's offseason are premature". Skyscraper Blues. December 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "NJ/NY Gotham FC navigate hardships of keeping a superteam together with new signings, high-profile exits". CBSSports.com. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Thorns FC Sign Defender Sam Hiatt - Portland Thorns". thorns.com. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Announces End-of-Season Contract Statuses for 2024". Gotham FC. December 10, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC and defender Mandy Freeman Agree to Contract Extension". Gotham FC. December 19, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC and Forward Jéssica Silva Agree to Contract Extension". Gotham FC. December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham FC news roundup: McCall Zerboni departs via free agency and more". OneFootball. January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Gotham FC Trades Forward Lynn Williams and Goalkeeper Cassie Miller for Midfielder Jaelin Howell, Allocation Money, and International Roster Spot from Seattle Reign FC". Gotham FC. December 20, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Anzidei, Melanie. "Yazmeen Ryan traded to Houston after Gotham FC worked 'tirelessly to honor her request' to move". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Trades Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan to Houston Dash for League-Record Allocation Money and International Roster Spot". Gotham FC. December 27, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Explainer: How will the NWSL offseason work without the draft?". SI. December 14, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs University of Pittsburgh Forward Sarah Schupansky to Multi-Year Contract". Gotham FC. December 23, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs UCLA Defender Lilly Reale to Multi-Year Contract". Gotham FC. January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs University of Minnesota Forward Khyah Harper". Gotham FC. January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs UCLA Goalkeeper Ryan Campbell". Gotham FC. January 10, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs Ghanaian Midfielder Stella Nyamekye". Gotham FC. December 24, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs Brazilian International Forward Gabi Portilho". Gotham FC. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Trades Goalkeeper Abby Smith to Houston Dash | Gotham FC". gothamfc.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ "Team Roster". Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham FC Announces End-of-Season Contract Statuses for 2024". December 10, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Technical Staff". Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "USWNT's Midge Purce signs new one-year deal to stay with NWSL's NJ/NY Gotham FC". CBSSports.com. February 5, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "NWSL top scorer González extends Gotham deal". ESPN. May 15, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham sign Geyse on loan from Man United". ESPN.com. March 24, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham FC Acquires Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan in Trade with Portland Thorns". Gotham FC. December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham FC Signs UCLA Midfielder Sofia Cook to Multi-Year Contract". Gotham FC. January 29, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham FC Signs Betos, Elgin as Injury Replacement Players". Gotham FC. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gotham FC Signs Betos and McCamey as Injury Replacement Players". Gotham FC. April 17, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Gotham FC Signs Danish Midfielder Josefine Hasbo to Multi-Year Contract". Gotham FC. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dash sign NWSL Champion Delanie Sheehan through 2026 season | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Salazar, Emmanuel (December 5, 2024). "Chicago Red Stars Sign Spanish Midfielder, Maitane López". Chicago Red Stars. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Rueter, Jeff (March 3, 2025). "USWNT's Crystal Dunn, Gotham FC agree to mutually part ways". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Megha (April 18, 2025). "Cece Kizer parts ways with Gotham FC". Hudson River Blue. Retrieved June 3, 2025.