Earlier today, Gotham FC announced they signed United States Women’s National Team regulars Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett. The two players faced Gotham in the NWSL Championship Final in November 2023. Gotham triumphed in that game 2-1 to win their first title.
Lavelle was with the OL Reign for three seasons. The 28-year-old USWNT star is one of the best midfielders in all of Women’s soccer, earning 92 caps and scoring 24 goals in international competitions.
Lavelle’s highlight reel includes her goal in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, when she carried the ball one-third of the length of the field before lashing a shot from the top of the box. The 69′ goal sealed the USWNT’s win over the Netherlands.
Defender Emily Sonnett joins Gotham after just one season with the Reign. She won the NWSL title with the Portland Thorns in 2017 and the Washington Spirit in 2021. The 30-year-old has 83 caps with the USWNT.
The new signings come on the heels of USWNT defender Tierna Davidson joining Gotham on January 2. The 25-year-old played with the Chicago Red Stars for the past five seasons, and also featured in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She joins superstar winger Crustal Dunn, whose signing was announced on December 31.
All of these transfers are remaking a Gotham that surprised the league by winning the 2023 title. Gone are defender Ali Krieger (retired), midfielder Kristie Mewis (now with West Ham United), and goalkeeper Mandy Haught and forward Ify Onumonu (both traded to the Utah Royals).
Gotham’s preseason begins at the end of the month. The Goths will face the San Diego Wave in the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 15, 2024. The NWSL regular season officially begins the following day.
