Gotham FC adds Savannah McCaskill as the midfielder returns to the team

It has been a slightly slow offseason for NJ/NY Gotham FC. The team re-signed Midge Purce and added rookie Talia Sommer, but there have been very few additions up until Friday. This might be due to the fact that the club already extended many players, and most of the squad is returning for 2026.

However, on Friday, Gotham FC announced that the club acquired Savannah McCaskill from San Diego Wave FC. In exchange, the California side received $175,000 in intraleague transfer funds. This move sees the midfielder return to the Bats, for she was with the NJ/NY side from 2018 through 2019 when the team was Sky Blue FC.

Savannah McCaskill is back with Gotham FC

McCaskill was originally selected in the NWSL Draft by the Boston Breakers, and subsequently picked up by Gotham in the Dispersal Draft when the Boston team folded. She had a good first season and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year. Her time with the Bats did not last long, for she was traded to Chicago Stars FC in the middle of the 2019 season.

Since her debut, McCaskill has been on a journey in the NWSL. Including a loan stint in Australia with Sydney FC, she has also played for Racing Louisville FC, Angel City FC, and, of course, was most recently with San Diego.

Since she is a starter, it will be interesting to see what Gotham has planned for the player. She is in the final year of her contract, so possibly the Bats are looking for depth and a secure backup player. McCaskill has mostly been a starter in the NWSL, so if she has to step in due to an injury, then the NJ/NY side is in good hands.

More importantly, she is best utilized as a defensive midfielder, and Gotham needed depth in that position. The player's addition means that there is a solid backup for Jaelin Howell. McCaskill will probably compete for a starting role since she has been doing extremely well over the last few years.

At the same time, Howell's contract extension from the summer makes the move questionable. One would assume that she would be the starter unless Gotham has other plans regarding where the players play. Nevertheless, an increase in competition for the Starting XI is always a good thing. This forces players to continuously improve their craft.

That is why McCaskill is a great addition to the team. Meanwhile, she might not be ready right away due to the foot injury she suffered at the end of the 2025 season. But when she is ready to go, Gotham FC might have gotten a steal for a great player.