A look at what’s ahead for Gotham FC in the 2023 campaign
The 2023 season is rapidly approaching with the NWSL kicking off this Saturday, March 25! The 11th year of league action will feature 12 teams with the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup featuring mid-season.
In a team-by-team preview, we’ll break down each squad’s big moves, massive matches, and more of what to know as we get ready for the regular season opener.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
2022 Season: 12th | 4-17-1 – 13 points
Big Additions:
- Bruninha – Brazil international, former Santos defender
- Kelley O’Hara – Former Washington defender, U.S. Women’s National Team standout
- Jenna Nighswonger – 2023 NWSL Draft No. 4 overall pick
- Yazmeen Ryan – Acquired via trade with Portland Thorns, scored two goals in 28 appearances
- Lynn Williams – Acquired via trade with Kansas City Current, missed majority of 2022 season with leg injury but scored 41 goals in 79 games for North Carolina from 2017-2021
Key Games:
- March 26: Angel City (A) – Regular Season Opener
- April 1: OL Reign (H) – Regular Season Home Opener
- April 19: Washington Spirit (H) – Challenge Cup Opener
What to Expect:
A redesigned Gotham FC roster with a lot of potential heading into the 2023 season has nowhere to go but up. Gotham has added a lot of phenomenal talent to compete this year and will look to a mix of veteran and young talent in order to compete for a possible postseason berth in October. Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós joined the club in November 2022.
The additions of Kelley O’Hara and Bruninha to the defense provide Ali Krieger and co. with a boost in the form of both a veteran presence with O’Hara and a young fullback with potential in Bruninha. Gotham’s defensive record will be one of the first areas it looks to improve moving forward, with all backline positions filled and options in the center back pairing assuming Amorós employs a four-defender system.
The club’s spirits were lowered in the midfield when it lost Taryn Torres to an ACL injury in preseason, but it still has McCall Zerboni, Allie Long, Kristie Mewis, and newcomer Yazmeen Ryan to rely on. For the new regime, there are plenty of midfield combinations to choose from, just like there are plenty of combinations for defense. However, one would expect players like Mewis and Long to continue playing, leaving little room for other players.
With Lynn Williams, Jenna Nighswonger, and Icelandic international Svava Rós Gumundsdóttir helping to carry the load that Midge Purce and Ifeoma Onumonu were responsible for last season, the forward line has the potential to be more than just fun to watch. Purce and Onumonu were features of Gotham’s play last year without uncertainty, however the expansion of ability all over the board ought to just look to assist the club with climbing in 2023.
Last but not least, Sinead Farrelly, a midfielder who was a Non-Roster Invitee in the club’s camp, is still expected to join Gotham.
