It’s been three weeks since the NWSL opened its first-ever free agency window. Since then the market has been very quiet in regard to players changing teams. The most major player has been last season’s worst team in the standings Gotham FC. The struggling team from New York/New Jersey made the first big splash by signing national team star Kelley O’Hara. Within the last week, two new players have also moved to Gotham FC in free agency. Here is a closer look at the two newest members of NWSL’s New York team as Gotham FC dominate free agency.
Gotham FC Dominate Free Agency in the NWSL
We’re excited to announce the signing of goalkeeper Abby Smith to a three-year contract through the 2025 NWSL season.
📰: https://t.co/BfTPOAohDD pic.twitter.com/onIsCnv86L
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) November 28, 2022
Abby Smith
Fresh off winning a championship with the Portland Thorns, veteran goalkeeper Abby Smith signed with Gotham on November 28. Despite not making any appearances for Portland last year, Smith has 6 years of experience at the professional level. She played regularly for the now defunct Boston Breakers and Utah Royals as well as playing a match with the Kansas City Current. Smith also spent time on loan with the Western Sydney Wanderers in the W league in Australia. While never making the senior national team squad, Smith played for the United States U-17, U-20 and U-23 squads. Last year Gotham only managed 3 clean sheets and conceded 46 goals so a veteran presence in goal should benefit them.
We’re excited to announce the signing of defender and NJ-native Kristen Edmonds to a two-year contract.
📰: https://t.co/ag4o5J6rGt pic.twitter.com/CcIKvY6muF
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) December 1, 2022
Kristen Edmonds
Gotham’s latest signing comes is one of the more experienced free agents available. 35-year-old Kristen Edmonds began her professional career overseas before joining the Western New York Flash in 2014. Edmonds then went on to play 70 matches for the Orlando Pride and notched 9 goals. This included a career year where she scored 6 goals in 2016. She spent last year making 21 appearances for runner-up Kansas City Current. Gotham will be a homecoming of sorts for Edmonds who was born in New Jersey and played for Rutgers University in college.
There are still many players yet to sign in free agency, including some prominent household names. I anticipate the quiet surrounding the league’s new endeavor will get quite noisy very soon.
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