Gotham FC Places League-Best Four Players on NWSL Best XI for July

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Aug. 7, 2026) - Gotham FC placed a league-high four players on the NWSL Best XI of the Month for July, presented by Amazon Prime, the league announced Friday.

Midfielders Jaelin Howell and Rose Lavelle and defender/winger Guro Reiten each earned recognition, along with now-former Gotham FC forward Esther González. The quartet helped Gotham FC post a 4-1-1 record in July, including a win over rival Washington in the record-setting July 15 match at Citi Field.

Gotham FC (11-3-4, 37 points) starts a busy August atop the NWSL standings.

Howell started all six matches and logged 517 minutes while anchoring Gotham's midfield. She recorded two assists, both on game-winning goals against the Washington Spirit and Bay FC, and finished the month with 19 tackles.

Lavelle started all six matches, totaling 507 minutes while scoring two goals, both game-winners against the Washington Spirit and Seattle Reign FC. She also registered 10 shots, including five on target, while creating 10 chances during the month.

Reiten started five of her six appearances in July, totaling 479 minutes. The Norwegian international recorded two assists, including the game-winning helper against the Houston Dash, and created 11 chances to help drive Gotham's attack.

González scored four goals in four appearances during the month despite making only three starts. She netted braces against Utah Royals FC and Seattle Reign FC, with the equalizer in both matches sparking eventual Gotham victories. Her brace in her final match for the club against Seattle marked the ninth of her NWSL regular season career, tying for second-most in league history. She finished July with 13 shots, including six on target, across 257 minutes.

Gotham will look to build on its strong form after opening August with a 1-0 road victory over the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium. Gotham returns home Friday to face San Diego Wave FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, with coverage on Prime Video.