Gotham FC plans to sign Sam Kerr following the Lilly Reale trade.

Gotham FC to Welcome Star Player

Gotham FC is gearing up to enhance its impressive roster with another notable name.

After a strong run, they recently lost their title as the NWSL’s reigning Rookie of the Year.

Sam Kerr, regarded as one of the top strikers in women’s soccer, is expected to join Gotham in the near future, following the end of her contract with Chelsea, as reported by various sources.

This strategic move follows Gotham’s announcement earlier in the day about trading defenseman Lilly Leal to the Boston Legacy. Leal, honored as the league’s best rookie in 2025, played a key role in securing the NWSL championship for Gotham.

In exchange, Gotham obtained $350,000 in allocation funds and $50,000 in intraleague transfer funds, which the team noted would contribute to the NWSL’s salary cap.

It seems logical that these funds might be aimed at bringing Kerr on board, especially since Gotham could use some more offensive strength.

Currently, Gotham sits fifth in the NWSL standings, hindered by the league’s pause during the Men’s World Cup group stage. They’ve allowed the fewest goals—just five—in 11 games, yet they have accumulated only 12 points despite having talent like Rose LaBelle, Jadyn Shaw, and Esther González in their lineup.

Kerr, now 32, is also a prominent figure for Team Australia, and interestingly, she played for Gotham, known then as Sky Blue, from 2015 to 2017.

Leaving the NWSL in 2019, she was the league’s all-time goal scorer, and now she has an opportunity to reclaim that title from Lin Biendro.

Upon joining Gotham, Kerr will reunite with former Chelsea teammates Jess Carter, Ann-Katrin Berger, and Guro Leiten. Moreover, she is married to Christy Mewes, a former U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder who also played for Gotham.

Reale, a 22-year-old from the Boston area, appeared in every regular-season game during Gotham’s impressive 2025 season. Her standout play as a left-back earned her a position on the U.S. women’s national team.

However, her playing time has diminished recently, especially with Leiten stepping into the left-back role effectively. Reale departs after contributing across 44 games for the club over one and a half seasons, starting in 33 matches.

“Lily has been a vital addition to our club since arriving at Gotham FC last season,” mentioned Yael Apfelbach-West, Gotham’s president of soccer operations, in a statement. “She has been instrumental in our success, both on and off the field, and we truly appreciate everything she has done for Gotham.”