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It is getting closer and closer to the 2026 NWSL season. NJ/NY Gotham FC is continuing their preparations before starting the NWSL Championship defending campaign. Also, the Bats will want to have a stronger regular season and aim to finish higher than eighth place. A way to improve is for the players to win more matches at home and turn Sports Illustrated Stadium into the fortress that it should be.
The Bats have a lot to look forward to, especially since the majority of last year's team will be back after a few departures and some new faces. Meanwhile, here is another Gotham FC news roundup.
Stella Nyamekye is already back with Gotham
A few weeks ago, Stella Nyamekye returned to Fort Lauderdale United FC on loan after Gotham FC recalled the player for the FIFA Women's Champions Cup. She was supposed to stay there until the end of the Florida team's season. However, on Thursday, the team announced the termination of the loan.
The NJ/NY side and Fort Lauderdale, for some unknown reason, agreed to end the loan. As a result, Nyamekye is back with Gotham. At this point in time, the young player is expected to be a part of the roster for the upcoming season. Another loan deal is not out of the realm of possibility. Still, it would be interesting to know why the previous loan deal ended, and so quickly, too.
The rest of the preseason
On Thursday, Gotham FC also revealed the rest of the preseason plans. The team is in Florida and will finish preparations for the 2026 season in the Sunshine State before finishing the final two weeks at home. During this time, they will play two preseason friendlies behind closed doors. In some ways, this will act like their third and fourth matches since the Bats already played two games in the Champions Cup.
Gotham will play Racing Louisville FC on February 24 and the Orlando Pride on March 1. Louisville was a little problematic for the team in 2025, and Orlando has been a difficult matchup over the last few years. These are two great teams to face in the preseason.
It is a little shocking that the ladies will not spend more time in Florida due to the warmer weather. They will end the preseason in New Jersey, spending the final two weeks getting ready for the season opener. Notably, some players will miss a portion of the preseason due to international duty.
Gotham FC players on the national stage
Multiple Gotham players were called up to their national teams for the first true international window of the year. As of today, nine players will depart Gotham and continue preparations for the season on the national stage.
Ann-Katrin Berger will be with Germany, and Jess Carter will be with England. Then, four players will represent the USWNT for the SheBelieves Cup: Rose Lavelle, Lilly Reale, Jaedyn Shaw, and Emily Sonnett. Fans can see the Gotham players in person when the USWNT plays in Harrison on March 7. Additionally, Sofia Cook, Andrea Kitahata, and Sarah Schupansky will train with the U-23 USWNT and play two matches.
Many Gotham FC fans will likely tune into the SheBelieves Cup. The tournament is always one to look forward to, and the USWNT will ideally win all three games.