Harrison, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC announced today an updated 30-player pre-season roster for the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League season. The 2022 season begins with group play for the NWSL Challenge Cup on Saturday, March 19th to be followed by a 28-match regular season.
Among the players returning to Gotham FC for the 2022 season are forwards Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Margaret “Midge” Purce; midfielders Nicole Baxter, Jennifer Cudjoe, Nahomi Kawasumi, Allie Long, Domi Richardson, and McCall Zerboni; and defenders Imani Dorsey, Caprice Dydasco, Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Estelle Johnson, and Gina Lewandowski.
The club also acquired several new players to gear up for a run at the NWSL championship this season. Gotham FC’s newest acquisitions include defender Ali Krieger, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, goalkeeper Michelle Betos, United States Women’s National Team midfielder Kristie Mewis, and forward Kumi Yokohama.
Krieger and Harris, who bring numerous years of United States Women’s National Team experience to Gotham FC, were acquired in a trade with the Orlando Pride. Mewis, a nine-year NWSL veteran, most recently played for the Houston Dash before being selected by the San Diego Wave in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft and then traded to Gotham FC. Yokohama was traded to Gotham FC after spending the last three seasons with the Washington Spirit.
“We are very happy with the quality of our team,” said Head Coach Scott Parkinson. “We are trying to build something very special here. It takes time, be we are well on our way. It’s not only the individuals quality that’s impressive to us, it’s our depth that is exciting our staff. We have brought in lots of players this year with WC golds and coming young stars of the future. With it being an expansion year and the retirement of Carli, we believe we’ve done a great job to keep us driving forward. Now we have out internationals back from representing their nations, it’s full steam ahead with everyone here in preseason.”
More recent signings for the club consist of defender Ellie Jean, who comes back to the United States after playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, as well as forward Cameron Tucker, who signed with the NJ/NY side out of Brigham Young University of the NCAA.
Also joining Gotham FC this year are former 2021 draft picks, Delanie Sheehan and Taryn Torres. Sheehan and Torres will start their NWSL careers after successful seasons for Paris FC and the University of Virginia respectively.
Head Coach Scott Parkinson enters his first full season as Head Coach of Gotham FC after taking the reins and leading the club to a playoff berth in 2021. Returning to Parkinson’s technical staff are Assistant Coaches Becki Tweed and Beverly “Bev” Yanez. Joining Parkinson’s staff are Goalkeeper Coach Brody Sams.
2022 Gotham FC Pre-Season Roster (30 players)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Michelle Betos, Hensley Hancuff (NRI), Ashlyn Harris
DEFENDERS (10): Imani Dorsey, Caprice Dydasco, Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Ellie Jean, Estelle Johnson, Ali Krieger, Gina Lewandowski, Kelly Ann Livingstone (NRI), Amanda Visco (NRI)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Nicole Baxter, Jennifer Cudjoe (INTL), Elizabeth Eddy (NYR), Naho Kawasumi (INTL), Allie Long, Kristie Mewis, Domi Richardson, Delanie Sheehan, Taryn Torres, McCall Zerboni
FORWARDS (6): Jenna Bike (NRI), Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Margaret “Midge” Purce, Cameron Tucker, Kumi Yokoyama
Key:
NRI: Non-roster invitee
NYR: Not yet reported
