HARRISON, NJ (January 5, 2023) - NJ/NY Gotham FC has significantly enhanced their roster for the upcoming NWSL season and future with a pair of major trades, pending conditions met. The club announced today the acquisition of 23-year-old midfielder Yazmeen Ryan – a starter for Portland Thorns FC when they won the NWSL Championship on Oct. 29 –and allocation money from Angel City FC in exchange for the first pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Focused on maintaining a high draft position, Gotham FC today also acquired the second overall selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft from the Orlando Pride in exchange for allocation money and Gotham FC’s natural fourth round pick in 2024.
“In Yazmeen Ryan, we have added a great, young talent who has already established herself as a highly effective NWSL midfielder,” said Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC GM and Head of Soccer Operations. "At the same time, we have positioned our club to take an elite player with the second overall draft selection or utilize the pick as an asset to continue to make our roster even stronger. These two major transactions combine for another important step forward for Gotham FC this offseason.”
In the trade with Angel City, Gotham FC not only received an outstanding young player in Yazmeen Ryan, but $250,000 in allocation money as well. In the trade with Orlando for the second overall pick, Gotham FC traded $350,000 in allocation money to the Pride.
Ryan, who was acquired by Angel City FC before her trade to Gotham FC, was selected sixth overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft by Portland. In her two seasons with the club, the Thorns won the 2022 NWSL Championship and the NWSL Shield and Women’s International Champions Cup in 2021. Last season with Portland, Ryan scored two goals and had five assists in 20 games.
Raised in Norman, Oklahoma, Ryan played collegiately at TCU, where she became the program’s all-time leader in assists (23) and ranks third in points and fifth in goals. After leading TCU in scoring in her senior season in 2020-21, among Ryan’s many honors were her selection as a Mac Hermann Trophy semifinalist, and being named First Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches, and First Team Best XI by Top Drawer Soccer, and First Team All-Big 12.
“I’m confident that my move to Gotham FC is an extremely positive one for my career, and I’m really looking forward to moving East very soon and getting started,” said Ryan. “This is a great opportunity for a fresh start and new chapter in my continued development as a player. I’m a big believer in Coach Juan (Carlos Amorós), what Gotham FC stands for, and the club’s vision to build a team that will compete for championships. Knowing how I fit with the team makes me so inspired. I am grateful that they showed so much faith in my abilities by making this trade for me. I’m excited to represent Gotham FC and I can’t wait to contribute to the success of the club! I’m ready to help make a difference. Let’s get it.”
