Gotham FC is full of leaders on their 2026 roster, including Tierna Davidson

In case one has not heard, Tierna Davidson is officially back! NJ/NY Gotham FC announced earlier in the week that the center-back is off the season-ending injury list after missing most of the 2025 season due to tearing her ACL.

As a result, she can finally lead the Bats as the captain. Davidson was originally announced as the captain last year, but was only able to wear the armband a few times. Now, as the first captain, she can properly lead the team that the injury took away from her. But Gotham not only revealed that the captain is back this week, but they also revealed the leadership group for the 2026 season.

Gotham FC has great leaders

With Davidson leading the group, five other players are a part of the leadership group for the Bats. Jess Carter, Mandy Freeman, and Rose Lavelle are continuing their leadership roles from 2025. Then, Jaelin Howell and Emily Sonnett are joining the group this year. It was a little surprising that Sonnett was not a part of the group last year, so this is well overdue. She was still in every way a leader, and truly, all six Gotham FC players are perfect choices to be in the group.

Of course, other players come to mind that probably could have been one of the leaders, like Ann-Katrin Berger and Midge Purce. It highlights how there are so many players with leadership qualities. But not everyone can be one of the leaders, for the group would get too crowded.

Meanwhile, when Davidson is not on the pitch, fans should expect Lavelle and Freeman to share most of the captainship. Both players wore the armband for most of the matches in 2025, especially once Lavelle was healthy.

Freeman is the longest-tenured Gotham player on the team, so she is the best person to guide the newer players in what it means to play for the club. Her unique experience compared to the rest of the leadership group gives her a leg up in that way.

All six can guide their teammates off and on the pitch. They can be the driving force in games and aid in maintaining the culture that has been created over the last few years. It does help that 21 of the 26 players are returning for the 2026 campaign. Moreover, with multiple young players, including rookies and those in their second year, there are multiple options for the younger players to go to when in need of guidance.

Gotham FC is lucky to have so many leaders on the team. The NJ/NY side is also lucky to have Davidson back. She was missed, and hopefully, the ladies can win more trophies with her in the lineup.