HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Gotham FC clinched a ticket to the playoffs on Sunday. 2-2 draw with Racing Louisville It will also be the first game for the new players on the pitch.
This season, the club has the largest rookie squad of any team in the league, consisting of nine new players: Sarah Szpanski, Lily Leal, Kya Harper, Ryan Campbell, Sophia Cook, Emerson Elgin, Tyler McKamey, Josephine Hasbo and Kayla Duran. (If you include Mack Witham, a 15-year-old on an under-18 contract, that number reaches 10).
They have left their mark on the club, on and off the field.
“They really were the heart of the team,” Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros said. “(They) bring energy, dedication and a desire to learn from senior players, while also being ready to perform when called upon. Each and every one of them has started or played in games and has been really important in getting the team to where it is today.”
This high number is a stark change from the past few years, when Gotham only had one rookie per season in both the 2024 and 2023 seasons.
And this year’s deep contingent is definitely on the rise, with Szpanski leading the team in assists and Reale, Harper and Szpanski accounting for three of the team’s top 10 scorers.
“I think about how much experience we have on this roster and how often these experienced players provide advice and help and support to younger players who might not have been in a high-stakes scenario like this,” Szpanski said, referring to the support from veterans as the playoffs approach. “We’re going to lean on them and have them replicate how they’re preparing for these games. We’re able to take some things from their plans and implement them into our plans.”
There are many connections between the young rookie and his more experienced teammates. Amoros said defenseman Emily Sonnett has worked closely with Campbell and Real, and forward Esther Gonzalez has really connected with Szpanski.
And the veterans are thoroughly impressed by the large number of newcomers.
“They’re true teammates on and off the field,” said midfielder Jaelyn Howell, who scored in Sunday’s draw. “What I’ve been telling them all year is this is a season of ups and downs. … We just have to keep them uplifted and we’ve got to continue to show them that even though it’s a long season, we have to rely on each other.”
The group will now wait for playoff seeding to be officially determined before taking on their first postseason together. In Schpansky’s words, “I think there’s a lot more to come.”
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