Gotham FC international duty update: December 2023

The NWSL season is long gone as NJ/ NY Gotham FC enjoyed celebrating their first-ever title back in November. However, some players' offseason started later with the final slate of international matches. For the USWNT, they finished out the season with friendlies as the European countries continued their UEFA Nations League group matches.   

How did the Gotham FC players perform during the December international break? Some made their first international cap, while others got on the scoreboard.   

Gotham FC players played for their national teams in the final 2023 window

USWNT- Jenna Nighswonger, Lynn Williams and Midge Purce 

Jenna Nighswonger earned her first cap for the USWNT during the 3-0 win against China. She subbed on for Emily Fox and had an immediate impact, making corners and crosses in a short period of time on the pitch. Her performance awarded her a start for the second match against China, playing the full 90 minutes in the defense alongside Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma. The USWNT won that game 2-1.   

Lynn Williams was back in the Stars and Stripes to end a successful 2023 season. She started the first match against China on the bench as an unused sub, as it gave Olivia Moultrie a chance to get her first cap for the USWNT. She was back on the pitch Tuesday, December 5, after getting the start and playing 58 minutes against China, recording three shots on the day. She ended the year making four starts in 14 appearances in all competitions, including the World Cup, totaling three goals with an assist.   

For Midge Purce, she came off the bench in the two matches, only totaling a shot. She was supposed to be on the flight to Australia to the World Cup for the team but failed to recover in time from a hip injury and was left off the roster. Overall, she made just one start in six appearances for the USWNT this year. The 2023 NWSL Finals MVP will look to improve her importance on the national team at the age of 28.   

Brazil-Bruninha

Just like the United States, Brazil ended the season with a few friendlies to cap off the year. Bruninha started and played all 90 minutes during the 2-0 loss to Japan. She was then downgraded to the bench as an unused sub during the 4-0 win over Nicaragua. Gotham player is still trying to work her way up as a regular starter for the national team, making just two in 12 appearances this season.   

Spain- Esther González

Esther González is continuing her strong form with the national team as Spain concluded the year with two Nations League group matches. She came on at halftime during the first match against Italy and scored a goal, though Spain went on to lose the match 3-2. Then, the forward was an unused sub during the 5-2 win over Sweden. Spain will go on to the final four, where they are set to face France in the Nations League semifinals next year.    

Ireland-Sinead Farrelly 

Sinead Farrelly got another call-up for Ireland to end the season. Ireland won the final two Nations League matches with a 1-0 win over Hungary and a 6-1 win over Northern Ireland. Farrelly had made just one appearance off the bench against Hungary after not being on the team sheet for the final match. She did, however, start all three games for Ireland during the World Cup, completing ten tackles with three shots.    

At this time, the NJ/NY Gotham FC players who were away on international duty. With some moves for 2024 already made, the new season will be here before one knows it.