2024 Gotham FC player grades: Goalkeepers and defenders

The 2024 season saw the strongest defensive performance in NJ/NY Gotham FC's history. This season not only saw the Bats be joint leaders in fewest goals conceded with Shield and Championship winners Orlando Pride, but it was also the fewest conceded in a season in team history.

While the defensive unit saw many familiar faces from last year's championship-winning team, there were plenty of new faces as well, including a new starting goalkeeper and center-back tandem.

So, let's take a look at the player grades for the Gotham FC goalkeepers and defenders.

Gotham FC player grades for the goalkeepers

Ann-Katrin Berger

Grade: A

It was a banner year for Ann-Katrin Berger. She won the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year and led Germany to an Olympic Bronze Medal. Despite being signed a month into the season, she still ended up near the top of many statistics. She finished second to Orlando's Anna Moorhouse in clean sheets but did lead the league in save percentage. Berger saw a career renaissance in 2024, for both club and country. She was a huge reason behind Gotham's stellar defensive record in 2024.

Michelle Betos

Grade: B-

Ultimately, Michelle Betos' days as a consistent starter are behind her, with her only appearing in two matches in each of the last two seasons. She has now transitioned to more of a leadership role that she has not only embraced but excelled at. She often delivered motivational speeches in the pregame huddles. She also took 14-year-old Mak Whitham under her wing when she was a part of the first-team squad. Betos is currently a free agent and remains unsigned for 2025.

Cassie Miller

Grade: B

Cassie Miller was the first new goalkeeper brought in by Gotham FC this season as part of their revamp of the position. She was initially the starter before Berger was signed in April. The German's arrival meant Miller would have to wait for the Summer Cup to get another consistent run of games. She would end the season with five clean sheets in eleven matches, three of which came in the Summer Cup.

Abby Smith

Grade: N/A

Following her severe lower leg injury midway through 2023, just being able to get back on the field in 2024 can be considered a win for Abby Smith. While her only appearance in 2024 was as a last-minute substitute in the Summer Cup Final, it was another huge step towards being back in playing shape for 2025. As things currently stand, Smith or Miller can start as the backup to Berger. Fans should expect a competition in the preseason.

Gotham FC player grades for the defenders

Bruninha

Grade: C

After a stellar first full season in New Jersey, Bruninha took a noticeable step back in 2024, seeing her NWSL minutes nearly cut in half. She ended the season on a poor note, earning a red card in a 35-minute cameo against the Washington Spirit in the playoff semifinal. That being said, she is only 22 and nobody would be surprised if she returns to her 2023 form come next season.

Jess Carter

Grade: B

After signing in late July, Jess Carter came in and blended into the Starting XI pretty seamlessly, starting the final 10 NWSL regular season games as well as the team's two playoff matches. She played primarily as a right-back but made a few starts at center-back as well. With a full preseason before the 2025 campaign, expect Carter to take another step forward with the Bats next year.

Tierna Davidson

Grade: A-

Being tasked with filling the hole left by Ali Krieger was not going to be easy, but Tierna Davidson did about as well as one possibly could. Despite missing some time due to injury, the defender played 23 matches in all competitions and ranked in the top percentiles in progressive passes, tackles, and blocks per 90 for center-backs around the world. At just 26 years old, there is still reason to believe she has room to grow even more.

Mandy Freeman

Grade: A+

Gotham FC's longest-tenured player had a career renaissance in 2024. In partial thanks to a move from center-back to right-back, the 29-year-old set career highs in appearances, assists, progressive passes, progressive carries, and also scored her first two goals for the club. Freeman is currently a free agent and remains unsigned at the time of writing, but it has been reported that the club is currently negotiating a new contract with Freeman for 2025.

Sam Hiatt

Grade: B

While Sam Hiatt did not establish herself as a starting center-back as she had previously at Seattle Reign FC, she stepped up when needed. Notably, when Davidson was injured at the beginning of the season, Hiatt played a huge role as a replacement and helped kick-start Gotham's strong defensive year. She has since left in free agency, signing a multiyear deal with Portland Thorns FC.

Maitane López

Grade: C-

After coming in midseason in 2023 as a midfielder and forming a strong center-back pairing with Ali Krieger, Maitanne López failed to build on that form in 2024. She quickly lost her starting spot to other players and never managed to earn it back. She played nearly 200 fewer minutes in NWSL play compared to last year despite only playing a partial season in 2023. The Spaniard has since left Gotham in free agency, signing a two-year contract with the Chicago Red Stars.

Jenna Nighswonger

Grade: B+

Despite a less-than-stellar end of the season, Jenna Nighswonger's overall body of work built off of her strong first season with Gotham FC where she won Rookie of the Year. She ranked third on the team in minutes played in NWSL play and ranks among the best attacking fullbacks in the world when it comes to shots, assists, and shot-creating actions per 90 in 2024. With a full offseason and time for a reset, expect Nighswonger to be back to her best come 2025.

Kelley O'Hara

Grade: C

Kelley O'Hara's final season obviously did not go as planned, playing only 81 minutes in the NWSL and managing just five appearances all season due to injury. She retires with many accolades in both club and international play including two World Cup wins, an Olympic Gold Medal, and two NWSL titles.

Emily Sonnett

Grade: A+

In their first season together at Gotham FC, Davidson and Emily Sonnett combined to form one of the most formidable center-back pairings in the league. Sonnett set a career-high in games played with 31 and came just 80 minutes short of setting her career-high in NWSL minutes played. She is also one of the best passing center-backs in the world, finishing in the 93rd percentile for passing percentage, as well as the 78th percentile in shot-creating actions per 90 of every player in the world.