Gary Gibson
01/19/2025
Producer
In 2024 Gotham FC formed a "Super Team" and spared no expense to build arguably the most talented roster in league history. Nearly top to bottom starters. The reason this was important because the club was about to embark on one of the most congested schedule in league history. Challenge cup, Summer cup, Champions cup, Olympics, and playoffs. The club must have turned over every couch cushion to be able to afford that roster within the rules. I suspect that to afford it they pushed a lot of incentives in bonus pay which I'm sure came due because of the success of the season.
The success? Most points, wins, and shutouts in franchise history. Finals of summer cup, semi-finals of Champions cup (ongoing), penalty kick loss in the semi-finals of the playoffs. The team also had it's highest attendance total.
What we also knew heading into the offseason is that the roster as constructed was not sustainable. Gotham had 10 or so free agents to re-sign. And probably not the resources to do so given the top heaviness of the previous years signings. On the podcast we discussed the free agents Gotham had and if they were likely or unlikely to resign. I said nearly every free agent was unlikely to re-sign for a couple reasons. First, at the time, Gotham looked to not have the cash. Players like Delanie Sheehan, Maitane Lopez, and Sam Hiatt were starters in this league and they have more than proven that. Surely they were going to chase minutes and money. The salary cap was increasing and teams such as Houston, Portland, and Chicago have money to burn and roster space. Those were the obvious moves away from the club.
Yazmeen Ryan was surely going to follow her heart and Delanie away from Gotham. That was not a shocking move. Lynn Williams was a bit of a shocker as she was granted a move to Seattle to be closer to family. All of this seemed like there was a mass exodus and players were trying to move away from the club.
Gotham enters a new era. The roster has to be rebuilt with a new perspective. There will be less games this season and possibly a month long break in the summer. That means Gotham can build the roster for more long term stability than just "win now". Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch and team has certainly adapted to this new frontier and retooled the roster. Here are a couple ways the roster will be different.
Youth movement. The past two seasons Gotham has drafted only one rookie. Last season, they traded their one rookie, Maycee Bell to the North Carolina Courage midseason in a trade the player wanted. This offseason, Gotham has brought on four rookies. An chance creating machine in Sarah Schupansky, a top five (should there have been a draft) center back in Lily Reale, an agressive forward in Kyah Harper, and an excellent shot stopping keeper in Ryan Campbell. The club also brought in Ghana prodigy Stella Nyamekye. Signaling that the team is going to build their own stars this time. It is also officially official, Wunderkind McKenna Whitham contract is live. The 14 year old has potential to be one of the best players in the world.
Chance creation. Despite all the attacking talent, Gotham had stretches where they dominated in possession but failed to create chances. Gotham won the field tilt battle all season but failed in some ways to really put teams away and take advantage of their opportunities. One player that left was Delanie Sheehan who played as an advanced midfielder and played nearly every minute of the season. She only had two goals on the season and registered zero assists. This is an area that needed vast improvement if the club is ever going to unlock the potential of one of the best strikers in world in Esther. In comes Schupansky, an attacker out of Pitt who is a chance creating machine. Led the NCAA in assists even registering 4 assists in one match. Can absolutely play a final ball and attack from either wide spot. Gotham also brought in Gabi Portilho, a FIFA best 11 attacker who should fill the spot on the roster that rising star Ryan left. The defense will remain mostly intact while the attacker will look much younger and more dynamic.
Where does the roster stand as some teams are already announcing final rosters and beginning to start preseason? There are still moves to be made. Championship MVP Midge Purce is still in negotiations with the club. The mystery of Crystal Dunn's return has yet to be announced. There is still a likely chance she moves away from the club as she has not signaled any return to Gotham is imminent. There are still two roster spots open and according to Spotrac, there is an international spot open. I don't think this club is finished dealing players both in and out of the club.
What does a possible Gotham FC best 11 line-up look like at this point?

This lineup could also morph easily into a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-4-1. Nighswonger was left on the bench for the semi-final in favor of Mandy Freeman who just signed a new contract. Could she be a player on the move who like Lynn Williams also a regular starter who saw a similar fate in the semi-final? Time will tell.
Is this roster as constructed as good as last year's super team? Possibly. That will hinge on the status of Midge Purce. If Midge Purce re-signs than there is an argument to be made that this team is more dynamic than 2024. Midge Purce will certainly increase the chance creation for Both Esther and Gabi and score some goals herself. It is certainly an exciting new era for this club as it takes it's third iteration in three seasons.
Stay tuned..... We are certainly to hear about moves as the team prepares to solidify it's full preseason roster.
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