Changes to Gotham FC's leadership team continue with more updates

As NJ/NY Gotham FC tries to rebound from their loss last weekend to the Washington Spirit and win the club's first NWSL Shield, changes are happening off the pitch. After a few adjustments to the front office over the summer, which included the promotion of Yael Averbuch West, who became the president of soccer operations, the team has announced more updates.

The club’s director of scouting and roster development, Richard Gunney, is leaving Gotham FC. Then, the Bats announced three additions to the sporting leadership team: Ed Nalbandian, Adam Loiacono, and Megan Young. Notably, Nalbandian is already an alternate governor within the ownership.

Gotham FC's leadership changes

As mentioned, Gunney is leaving Gotham after joining the club in 2022. Per the team's website, he "played a central role in building the rosters that delivered the club’s 2023 and 2025 NWSL Championships, the 2024-25 Concacaf W Champions Cup title and the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup title." He was also a major part of building the roster that is chasing the NWSL Shield.

Gunney is moving to Atlanta City FC to become the expansion team's chief soccer officer. This is a step up in his career, and he deserves it. The Bats will need to find someone new who can fill the role and do as well as he did during his tenure in New Jersey.

On the other side of things, Nalbandian is adding to his Gotham resume by adding the role of chief strategy officer for soccer. Per the NJ/NY side, he "leads the club’s long-term soccer strategy and roster planning, including soccer financial planning, roster management operations, and strategic projects that will shape the club’s future." He has already done these things, so really, he officially has a title.

Then, the other two additions are fully new to Gotham. Loiacono is the vice president of soccer operations. He is "responsible for the day-to-day integration and alignment" of the team. He will also support both "the first team and Pro Player Pathway program from an operational perspective" and will ensure the "club’s soccer environment is connected, high-performing, and aligned across all levels."

Loiacono's background as a sports clinician and strength and conditioning specialist makes him a unique choice. All of his experience throughout the NBA, MLS, and NWSL has been related to the medical and health side of sports. One can only wonder if Gotham FC's issues with injuries, especially those involving the knee, led to this decision. After all, a healthy team will make the roster better.

It would make sense, though, as to why Young was brought in. She will lead the "unified medical and performance department as director of human performance." She will "establish the department’s culture and standards and oversee physical development, sport science and athlete monitoring, player care and the club’s return-to-play process, working in close partnership with the coaching staff."

That sounds like Gotham is trying to change how they do things with fitness, training, and the health of their players. This move is great for the Bats, and hopefully, those ACL tears and other knee injuries will significantly decline.

These changes show that the NJ/NY side is always trying to improve, whether it be on the pitch or off it. Ideally, the additions to the leadership team will help Gotham FC in the future.

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