Gotham’s Rose LaBelle: A Free Agent Dilemma

Gotham star midfielder Rose LaBelle has officially been a free agent since July 1st. In light of this, Gotham’s President of Soccer Operations, Yael Apfelbusch-West, indicated in a recent interview that the club is actively working to negotiate a new contract with LaBelle.

“We’re working on it every day,” Apfelbusch-West shared with the press. It’s clear they value LaBelle, especially since Apfelbusch-West stated, “I think every team would want to sign Rose LaBelle, so absolutely.” This certainly underscores the importance of the 31-year-old playmaker, which may raise some eyebrows among fans, considering her current contract runs out at the end of 2026.

LaBelle is among the spotlight players in the NWSL’s 2027 free agent class, having the freedom to align with other teams since early July.

Having joined Gotham in 2024, LaBelle has made significant contributions, scoring eight goals (seven goals, one assist) overall. Last season, she faced a setback due to ankle surgery, which kept her from playing in the first part of the 2025 season. However, she returned strong, helping the team clinch its second NWSL championship in three years. Now, in 2026, LaBelle remains a vital component of Gotham’s offense, with two goals over ten matches.

Interestingly, LaBelle appears in promotional materials for the team’s upcoming relocation to Queen’s Etihad Park in 2028, hinting at her ongoing importance to the club.

Apfelbusch-West has a lot to consider as he puts together a competitive roster while adhering to the NWSL’s salary cap. Notably, Gotham has other key free agents to focus on as well, including goalkeeper Anne-Katlin Berger, defender Jess Carter, forward Midge Purse, and captain Mandy Freeman.

In the realm of contract discussions, Emily Sonnet has recently re-signed, extending her contract until 2028 just before becoming a free agent. Additionally, Australian striker Sam Kerr has joined Gotham on a deal lasting until 2030.

As Gotham resumed play following the NWSL’s summer break, they faced a tough opponent, losing 2-0 to first-place San Diego. Currently, they hold the seventh spot in the standings—a reflection of their inconsistent performance. They’ve managed to score only 12 goals in as many games.

Moving forward, Gotham will battle against No. 4 Utah this Friday and then return home for the Queen’s Classic against the Washington Spirit on July 15 at Citi Field, where they expect a record-setting audience.