Jess Carter participated in celebrations in the UK after the Lioness victory at the European Women’s Championships, which might have alleviated some of the pressure from a tough international outing for veteran defenders.
However, she quickly returned to rejoin her Gotham teammates, preparing for the NWSL season against a Chicago team on Friday night.
“I was just really eager to come back. I want to contribute to this team and help us win,” Carter shared on Thursday. “I feel great here at Gotham, and I missed this supportive group—it’s just so comfortable being around everyone.”
Carter opened up about experiencing racial abuse during the Euros and mentioned she would be stepping back from social media for a while.
“I hope that speaking out makes those who write this kind of abuse think twice and realize that no one should have to go through it,” she stated.
In the quarterfinals, Carter played a role in Sweden taking an early 2-0 lead before England made a remarkable comeback. She didn’t start in the semifinals and was on the field for just a minute as a late substitute.
Surprisingly, she returned as a starter for the final at center-back, helping counter Spain’s strong team, including her Gotham teammate, Esther Gonzalez, before England triumphed in penalties.
Gotham’s general manager, Yael Averbuch West, noted that the team has been keeping in touch with Carter, assuring her that “New Jersey stands ready to support her.”
“Her determination was evident; she performed excellently in that final and emerged a champion with England. She’s truly an integral part of our squad,” Averbuch West remarked. “Seeing Jess achieve so much was significant, beyond just the match.”
Gotham last played on June 21, coming off two consecutive wins to sit eighth in the NWSL standings before a six-week break commenced.
Katie Stengel, a member of Gotham’s 2023 Championship team, was acquired from Crystal Palace for the remainder of the season, as announced on Thursday. Additionally, Gotham secured a one-year contract extension with defender Brunina, extending her tenure through the 2027 season.
