How star-studded Gotham leaned on depth to thrive this year

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

When pouring over the current NJ/NY Gotham roster, you won’t be left wanting for big names.

In goal, there is Ann-Katrin Berger, Germany’s current No.1. Protecting her is a back line populated by former Chelsea teammate, Jess Carter, and a host of American internationals: Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Jenna Nighswonger. Into the midfield, you will come across Rose Lavelle and Crystal Dunn, who are World Cup winners and Olympic gold medalists. Up front, all-time National Women’s Soccer League top-scorer Lynn Williams is joined by esteemed Spanish poacher Esther Gonzalez.

It’s an all-star cast, one that drew preseason attention as a possible “super team.” The talented roster a clear indication of how far Gotham as a club has come in the last few years and a reasonable answer to anyone questioning how they established themselves as one of the NWSL’s best teams.

But the foundations of Gotham’s success go deeper, and extend further back in time. Gotham sits third in the table with one match to play, and looks like a serious contender to defend its NWSL title, in large part because of the names that don’t draw as much attention.

Foundations from futility

Let us rewind to 2022, a bruising year for Gotham, one in which they finished rock bottom of the table and hope was in short supply. Delanie Sheehan was back from a loan stint with Paris FC in France, where she had aimed to improve her game in a different soccer culture. She struggled for consistent minutes upon her return. Her first start came on July 9, away to Racing Louisville. Briefly, she shared a field with Nealy Martin, who came on for the opposition in the 88th minute at left-fullback.

Gotham won 2-1, but that was their last victory of the season. After that, they lost 12 in a row, breaking the league record for consecutive losses in a season. Little did supporters know that they had witnessed the future of their midfield that day in Louisville, the engine room at the heart of a 2023 NWSL Championship. Soon, Sheehan would be playing a lot more, Martin would be backing her up, and they would be celebrating together.