Gotham FC: 5 storylines to follow in 2024

NJ/NY Gotham FC is coming off the team's most successful NWSL season in 2023, ultimately culminating in a championship. There are still plenty of questions that need answering throughout this season. This should lead to interesting storylines to follow.

Therefore, here are five storylines to follow as Gotham FC begins and plays the 2024 campaign.

5. Who will be the number 1 goalkeeper for Gotham FC?

After having the starting job for the first half of 2023, Abby Smith suffered a season-ending injury in a 2-1 loss to the San Diego Wave on June 29. This setback did not hold Gotham FC back as they rallied around backup Mandy Haught and ultimately won a championship with her in goal.

With Haught now in Utah after an offseason trade, Gotham needed reinforcements in goal. The team brought back veteran Michelle Betos on a one-year deal and acquired Cassie Miller from the Kansas City Current. The common sentiment is that Betos will start the year as the third choice, as she was last year, and that Miller, along with Smith, will be the two battling it out for the starting job.

As to who will be the starter come the Challenge Cup on Friday, things seem to be trending in the direction of Miller. Miller started both games in the Women's Cup preseason tournament and there is suspicion that Smith may start the season as an inactive player as a result of her injury from last season.

So with Miller, who many around the league consider to be one of the better backup goalkeepers, in line to start the season as a starter, how can Smith find her way back into the starting lineup? Will head coach Juan Carlos Amorós give her a chance, or will Miller play well enough to where that chance doesn't ultimately end up coming to fruition?