2025 NJ/NY Gotham FC season

Last updated

NJ/NY Gotham FC
2025 season
Operating owners Carolyn Tisch Blodgett (lead)
Ed Nalbandian
General manager Yael Averbuch West
Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós
Stadium
  2024
2026 
All statistics correct as of January 8, 2025.

The 2025 NJ/NY Gotham FC season will be the team's 16th season as a professional women's soccer team and twelfth participating in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

Contents

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]

Summary

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 January 17, 2025 [28] [29]
No.Nat.NameDate of birth (age)SincePrevious teamNotes [a]
Goalkeepers
12 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Campbell March 18, 2002 (aged 22)2025 Flag of the United States.svg UCLA Bruins
18 Flag of the United States.svg Shelby Hogan May 10, 1998 (aged 26)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Portland Thorns FC
30 Flag of Germany.svg Ann-Katrin Berger October 9, 1990 (aged 34)2024 Flag of England.svg Chelsea INT
Defenders
2 Flag of the United States.svg Jenna Nighswonger November 28, 2000 (aged 24)2023 Flag of the United States.svg Florida State Seminoles
3 Flag of Brazil.svg Bruninha June 16, 2002 (aged 22)2022 Flag of Brazil.svg Santos INT
4 Flag of the United States.svg Lilly Reale November 28, 2000 (aged 24)2025 Flag of the United States.svg UCLA Bruins
6 Flag of the United States.svg Emily Sonnett November 25, 1993 (aged 31)2024 Flag of the United States.svg OL Reign
15 Flag of the United States.svg Tierna Davidson September 19, 1998 (aged 26)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Red Stars
22 Flag of the United States.svg Mandy Freeman March 23, 1995 (aged 29)2017 Flag of the United States.svg USC Trojans
27 Flag of England.svg Jess Carter October 27, 1997 (aged 27)2024 Flag of England.svg Chelsea
Midfielders
8 Flag of the United States.svg Taryn Torres April 23, 1999 (aged 25)2021 Flag of the United States.svg Virginia Cavaliers
14 Flag of the United States.svg Nealy Martin April 22, 1998 (aged 26)2023 Flag of the United States.svg Racing Louisville FC
16 Flag of the United States.svg Rose Lavelle May 14, 1995 (aged 29)2024 Flag of the United States.svg OL Reign
90 Flag of Ghana.svg Stella Nyamekye September 18, 2005 (aged 19)2025 Flag of Ghana.svg Dreamz Ladies INT
Forwards
9 Flag of Spain.svg Esther González December 8, 1992 (aged 32)2023 Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid INT
11 Flag of the United States.svg Sarah Schupansky August 25, 2003 (aged 21)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Panthers
13 Flag of the United States.svg Ella Stevens December 11, 1997 (aged 27)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Red Stars
18 Flag of Brazil.svg Gabi Portilho July 18, 1995 (aged 29)2025 Flag of Brazil.svg Corinthians INT
20 Flag of Portugal.svg Jéssica Silva December 11, 1994 (aged 30)2024 Flag of Portugal.svg Benfica INT
24 Flag of the United States.svg Cece Kizer August 7, 1997 (aged 27)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dash
31 Flag of the United States.svg Mckenna Whitham July 27, 2010 (aged 14)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Slammers FC HB Køge U18
34 Flag of the United States.svg Khyah Harper August 15, 2002 (aged 23)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Golden Gophers
  1. Cruz Roja.svg denotes a season-ending injury.

Technical staff

As of January 9, 2025 [30]
Technical staff
RoleName
General manager
Head of soccer operations
Flag of the United States.svg Yael Averbuch West
Head coach Flag of Spain.svg Juan Carlos Amorós
Assistant coaches Flag of the United States.svg Jen Lalor
Shaun Harris
Ak Lakhani
Goalkeeper coachBrody Sams
Head of sports science Phillip Congleton
Strength and conditioning coachAdrián Benítez Jiménez
Head of medical

Physical therapist

Erin Morton

Competitions

  Win  Draw  Loss

Friendlies

February 26 Fort Lauderdale United FC v NJ/NY Gotham FC Davie, Florida
7:00 pm ETStadium: Beyond Bancard Stadium
March 2 Tampa Bay Sun FC v NJ/NY Gotham FC Tampa, Florida
6:00 pm ETStadium: Riverfront Stadium

Regular season


Regular-season standings

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
000000 0000000 000000 0
Results by matchday
Matchday1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Ground
Result
Position [a]
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
  1. NJY's position at the end of the day on which their match was played.

    Squad statistics

    Appearances

    Goals

    Assists

    Clean sheets

    Disciplinary record

    Transactions

    Re-signings
    DatePlayerPos.NotesRef.
    December 19, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Mandy Freeman
    DF
    Re-signed to a two-year contract. [14]
    December 31, 2024 Flag of Portugal.svg Jéssica Silva
    FW
    Re-signed to a short-term contract through June 30, 2025. [15]

    Transfers in

    DatePlayerPos.Previous clubFee/notesRef.
    December 20, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Jaelin Howell
    MF
    Flag of the United States.svg 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 Flag of the United States.svg Sarah Schupansky
    FW
    Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Panthers Free agent rookie signed to a two-year contract with a club option. [21]
    December 24, 2024 Flag of Ghana.svg Stella Nyamekye
    MF
    Flag of Ghana.svg 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 Flag of Brazil.svg Gabi Portilho
    FW
    Flag of Brazil.svg Corinthians Signed to a two-year contract with an option. [26]
    December 31, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Shelby Hogan
    GK
    Flag of the United States.svg 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. [31]
    January 3, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Lilly Reale
    DF
    Flag of the United States.svg UCLA Bruins Free agent rookie signed to a three-year contract. [22]
    January 8, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Khyah Harper
    FW
    Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Golden Gophers Free agent rookie signed to a one-year contract. [23]
    January 10, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Campbell
    GK
    Flag of the United States.svg UCLA Bruins Free agent rookie signed to a one-year contract. [24]

    Transfers out

    DatePlayerPos.Destination clubFee/notesRef.
    December 4, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Delanie Sheehan
    MF
    Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dash Free agent. [8] [32]
    December 5, 2024 Flag of Spain.svg Maitane López
    MF
    Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Red Stars Free agent. [9] [33]
    December 6, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Hiatt
    DF
    Flag of the United States.svg Portland Thorns FC Free agent. [7] [12]
    December 10, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Michelle Betos
    GK
    Out of contract. [13]
    Flag of Iceland.svg Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir
    FW
    Flag of the United States.svg Midge Purce
    FW
    Flag of the United States.svg McCall Zerboni
    MF
    December 20, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Cassie Miller
    GK
    Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Reign FC Both players traded in exchange for $70,000 in allocation money, a 2025 international roster spot, and Jaelin Howell. [17]
    Flag of the United States.svg Lynn Williams
    FW
    December 27, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Yazmeen Ryan
    MF
    Flag of the United States.svg 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 Flag of the United States.svg Abby Smith
    GK
    Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dash Traded in exchange for $20,000 in intra-league transfer funds. [27]
    January 31, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Crystal Dunn
    FW
    Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain Free agent [34]

    Awards

    References

    1. NWSL. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    2. "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.
    3. Communications, Gotham FC (November 16, 2024). "Match Recap: Gotham FC falls in Penalties against Washington Spirit". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    4. 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 | 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 | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    5. "KC Current claim inaugural Summer Cup title". ESPN.com. October 26, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    6. "Estadio Universitario in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, awarded 2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals". Concacaf. December 26, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    7. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 6, 2024). "Gotham FC and defender Sam Hiatt Part Ways". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    8. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 4, 2024). "Gotham FC and midfielder Delanie Sheehan Part Ways". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    9. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 5, 2024). "Gotham FC and midfielder Maitane López Part Ways". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    10. "Patience is a virtue: why concerns with Gotham FC's offseason are premature". Skyscraper Blues. December 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    11. "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.
    12. 1 2 "Thorns FC Sign Defender Sam Hiatt - Portland Thorns". www.thorns.com. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    13. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 10, 2024). "Gotham FC Announces End-of-Season Contract Statuses for 2024". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    14. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 19, 2024). "Gotham FC and defender Mandy Freeman Agree to Contract Extension". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    15. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 31, 2024). "Gotham FC and Forward Jéssica Silva Agree to Contract Extension". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    16. "Gotham FC news roundup: McCall Zerboni departs via free agency and more". OneFootball (in French). January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    17. 1 2 3 Communications, Gotham FC (December 20, 2024). "Gotham FC Trades Forward Lynn Williams and Goalkeeper Cassie Miller for Midfielder Jaelin Howell, Allocation Money, and International Roster Spot from Seattle Reign FC". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    18. 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.
    19. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 27, 2024). "Gotham FC Trades Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan to Houston Dash for League-Record Allocation Money and International Roster Spot". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    20. "Explainer: How will the NWSL offseason work without the draft?". SI. December 14, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
    21. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 23, 2024). "Gotham FC Signs University of Pittsburgh Forward Sarah Schupansky to Multi-Year Contract". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    22. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (January 3, 2025). "Gotham FC Signs UCLA Defender Lilly Reale to Multi-Year Contract". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    23. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (January 8, 2025). "Gotham FC Signs University of Minnesota Forward Khyah Harper". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    24. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (January 10, 2025). "Gotham FC Signs UCLA Goalkeeper Ryan Campbell". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    25. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 24, 2024). "Gotham FC Signs Ghanaian Midfielder Stella Nyamekye". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    26. 1 2 Communications, Gotham FC (December 30, 2024). "Gotham FC Signs Brazilian International Forward Gabi Portilho". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    27. 1 2 "Gotham FC Trades Goalkeeper Abby Smith to Houston Dash | Gotham FC". www.gothamfc.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
    28. "Team Roster" . Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    29. "Gotham FC Announces End-of-Season Contract Statuses for 2024". December 10, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    30. "Technical Staff". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    31. Communications, Gotham FC (December 31, 2024). "Gotham FC Acquires Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan in Trade with Portland Thorns". NJ/NY Gotham FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    32. FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dash sign NWSL Champion Delanie Sheehan through 2026 season | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    33. Salazar, Emmanuel (December 5, 2024). "Chicago Red Stars Sign Spanish Midfielder, Maitane López". Chicago Red Stars. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
    34. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43638875/uswnt-crystal-dunn-joins-psg-gotham-departure