Gotham FC Aims for Global Glory
A little over two months back, Gotham FC celebrated their NWSL championship victory by proudly raising the trophy in the fresh Bay Area air.
A few days after that, the team took to the stage at Manhattan’s City Hall, making it clear they weren’t planning to stop there.
“We are never done,” stated head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, adding that their next goal is to become world champions by January.
On Wednesday, Gotham will take the field in London for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Even though they carry the title of reigning NWSL champions, their ambitions stretch far beyond that.
“Being in Gotham means striving for excellence. We aim to be the best,” right-back Mandy Freeman expressed earlier this month. “Playing against top teams from around the world will really help us gauge where we stand and prepare for future challenges.”
Freeman described the last eight weeks as a “whirlwind.” Gotham had the shortest offseason in the NWSL, but they view this tightly packed schedule as an asset rather than a setback.
“We’re treating 2026 not as a fresh start, but rather as a continuation of what we did last season,” she explained, hinting at the potential development of a lasting legacy.
Amoros noted that the team returned to training earlier this month, eager to kick things off again. The fact that most of last season’s champions are back also provides a solid foundation.
Returning players include Rose LaBelle, who scored the decisive goal in the title match, along with defensive leader Emily Sonnette, Jadyn Shaw, Bruninha, Tierna Davidson, Esther Gonzalez, Jaelynn Howell, and Sarah Schpanski.
Gotham has also re-signed Midge Purse for another season and brought in experienced midfielder Savannah McCaskill from San Diego Wave FC.
On Monday, they announced the addition of Jordyn Dudley, a standout forward from Florida State and two-time NCAA champion.
The mix of returning stars and new talent could be just what the team needs as they set their sights on claiming a major international title in London to kick off the 2026 season.
“The players are hungry—they want to win, and it’s incredible to see,” Amoros said. “Once you win one tournament, the next one is already on your mind.”
Since Amoros took over in 2022, Gotham has been laying down the groundwork to become a significant force in global women’s soccer.
Winning the 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup last May secured their spot among the top six teams from various regions in the Women’s Champions Cup.
As it stands, only four clubs remain: Gotham, Arsenal from England, Brazil’s Corinthians, and Morocco’s ASFAR.
Gotham is set to face Corinthians in the first semi-final on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., while Arsenal will compete against ASFAR at 1 p.m. The finalists will meet on Sunday at 1 p.m., with the losing teams battling for third place at 9:45 a.m.
Gotham is seen as a top contender for the championship, though many see Arsenal as their primary competition for the title of the “best club in the world.”
The team’s aspirations are clear.
“I aim to win another trophy—that’s just how things are in Gotham,” Freeman said. “We want to not only be trailblazers in these elite competitions but also maintain that tradition as we continue to compete for championships.”
