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Analysis

How star-studded Gotham leaned on depth to thrive this year

Gotham’s splashy offseason signings drew calls of a ‘super team,’ but less heralded players and sound tactics have the NWSL champions playing even better than last year

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

When pouring over the current NJ/NY Gotham roster, you won’t be left wanting for big names.

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In goal, there is Ann-Katrin Berger, Germany’s current No.1. Protecting her is a back line populated by former Chelsea teammate, Jess Carter, and a host of American internationals: Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Jenna Nighswonger. Into the midfield, you will come across Rose Lavelle and Crystal Dunn, who are World Cup winners and Olympic gold medalists. Up front, all-time National Women’s Soccer League top-scorer Lynn Williams is joined by esteemed Spanish poacher Esther Gonzalez.

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It’s an all-star cast, one that drew preseason attention as a possible “super team.” The talented roster a clear indication of how far Gotham as a club has come in the last few years and a reasonable answer to anyone questioning how they established themselves as one of the NWSL’s best teams.

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But the foundations of Gotham’s success go deeper, and extend further back in time. Gotham sits third in the table with one match to play, and looks like a serious contender to defend its NWSL title, in large part because of the names that don’t draw as much attention.

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Foundations from futility

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Let us rewind to 2022, a bruising year for Gotham, one in which they finished rock bottom of the table and hope was in short supply. Delanie Sheehan was back from a loan stint with Paris FC in France, where she had aimed to improve her game in a different soccer culture. She struggled for consistent minutes upon her return. Her first start came on July 9, away to Racing Louisville. Briefly, she shared a field with Nealy Martin, who came on for the opposition in the 88th minute at left-fullback.

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Gotham won 2-1, but that was their last victory of the season. After that, they lost 12 in a row, breaking the league record for consecutive losses in a season. Little did supporters know that they had witnessed the future of their midfield that day in Louisville, the engine room at the heart of a 2023 NWSL Championship. Soon, Sheehan would be playing a lot more, Martin would be backing her up, and they would be celebrating together.

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