The Rise of Gotham FC from a Dark Sky Blue FC
The most recent 2023 NWSL champions, Gotham FC, have made a distinct name for themselves after renaming the team from Sky Blue. The team is based in New Jersey, established in 2006. The growth between the teams, starting in a semi-professional league to winning the NWSL Championship, has been fascinating to keep track of.
Original Success
Shortly after its inception, Sky Blue began to draft international players and Olympic medalists in 2008. Some familiar names are Heather O’Reilly, Christie Pierce, and Natasha Kai. One draft after another, the team began to climb. In 2009, Sky Blue FC won its first championship, with a winning goal on their home field brought by Heather O’Reilly. While this fairytale win sent a message about Sky Blue, they struggled to make the playoffs the following season.
The Ups and Downs
In 2013, The National Women’s Soccer League was established. In this first season, Sky Blue made their way to the playoffs for the first time since their championship win in 2009.
During 2017, the coaching for Sky Blue lacked stability after having multiple coaches step down over their lack of success. There has also been recognition of poor offfield conditions, such as problems with running water or working showers and toilets. It became a disaster. Players stayed in homes with broken windows and host families who expected them to babysit. The team slowly began to fall apart and struggled to sign players.
A New Start
In 2020, Sky Blue FC decided it was time for a new start. The team began sharing facilities with the impressive New York Red Bulls. They also signed 13 fantastic players, including the United States stars Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd.
A year later, the team was officially renamed as Gotham FC. Unfortunately, the team finished last place in 2022. As Gotham FC entered the 2023 season, there was apprehension about what the team could accomplish and the bitter-sweet knowledge of Ali Krieger’s retirement. But on that Saturday night against OL Reign, the team brought home its first NWSL Championship. The team won with a 2-1 and a turnaround season. From worst to first, the story of Gotham FC is something special.
Gotham FC will be exciting to follow this next season. They just signed a plethora of accomplished players and fan favorites, including Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett. With the likes of Midge Purce, Lynn Williams, Jenna Nighswonger, Esther Gonzalez, and Bruninha already on the team, and Coach Juan Carlos Amoros at the helm, Gotham FC is setting itself up for success for seasons to come.
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