The Guardian published the final installment of their annual “100 best female footballers in the world” list, and two Gotham FC players make the cut.
American forward Lynn Williams appears at #63 after not making the list for two years. (She was #38 in 2020, and #66 in 2019.) Spanish forward Esther Gonzalez appears at #64, climbing from #90 in 2022.
Both players joined the club last year. Williams scored 10 goals in 24 appearances for Gotham, leading the team to their first league title in Club history. Gonzalez was signed in August from Real Madrid, and played for the Spanish national team that won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Gonzalez scored three goals in eight appearances for Gotham, including the arcing header that proved to be the game-winner in the 2023 NWSL Championship.
This is simply clinical. 😮💨@100Purcent x @Estheeer9 pic.twitter.com/0A1Qw6sfuz— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) November 12, 2023
The two are among 12 NWSL players named to a Top 100 that heavily favors Britain’s WSL. The entire Top 10 play in Europe – six play for Barcelona alone. It shows the international growth of the women’s game after years of being dominated by American clubs. Perhaps it also reflects the bias of a British publication whose writers and editors are closely familiar with the WSL and other European leagues, but have a less extensive knowledge of the NWSL.
Williams and Gonzalez represent a return to the list for Gotham, which didn’t have any players named to the Top 100 in 2022. Back in 2021, former Gotham forward Carli Lloyd was #71, and current Gotham winger Midge Purce was #92.
You can find the full list here.
