Gotham FC international duty update: October 2023

Despite a pause in the NWSL playoffs due to the international break, some of the NJ/NY Gotham FC players have been keeping busy with their respective national teams. Since the Women’s World Cup, more and more viewers have been following up on their women's national teams. The next big tournament is the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where any nation can come out on top.   

How did the Gotham FC players fare during the October international break? It was somewhat successful for the ladies and their teams.

Checking in on the Gotham players and their national teams

USWNT- Lynn Williams and Midge Purce

Lynn Williams is still trying to find her scoring touch for Gotham since the World Cup but scored a brace against South Africa in the last international window. Hence, she had the chance to represent the Stars and Stripes with her teammate Midge Purce in the October matches.

Williams only got a chance to play in the 0-0 international friendly draw with Colombia, starting and playing 87 minutes while failing to log in a single shot. She then was an unused substitute during the 3-0 against Colombia again.

Unfortunately for Purce, she was an unused substitute for the first match. Then, she was off the team sheet for the second game. She has a lot of work to do if she wants to work her way up the depth chart for the USWNT after missing out on the World Cup with injury. 

Spain- Esther González

Esther González has certainly given Gotham a boost in their attack since arriving from Real Madrid in the summer. With two goals in six matches played, she will look to win another trophy before the end of the season. Her nation faced against Italy and Switzerland for the UEFA Women’s Nations League tournament. She started and played the first half of the game against Italy, which they later won 1-0. However, the forward was not on the team sheet for the thrashing 7-1 win against Switzerland.  

Ireland- Sinead Farrelly

Sinead Farrelly's story is often noted as a sad, brave one after her journey back to club and international soccer. She made her first appearance in six years for the Ireland women's national football team back in April following a car crash and a victim of sexual abuse. She fought her way to the World Cup roster in a short amount of time, where she started all three games.  

This time around, Ireland faced off against Albania twice for the UEFA Women’s Nations League. She came off the bench to play 23 minutes during a 5-1 win. The midfielder then started the second match against Albania, playing one half in a 1-0 win. 

Nigeria- Ifeoma Onumonu

Ifeoma Onumonu is one of the few remaining players who played under Sky Blue FC before their rebranding in 2021. She has a total of eight goals in four seasons and is set to stay with the club long-term after signing a three-year contract back in 2022.

With Nigeria, they are continuing their CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers with two matches against Ethiopia. Onumono came off the bench during the first leg in the 1-1 draw. She then started the second leg, where Nigeria crushed them 4-0.    

Brazil- Bruninha

Bruninha was called up to represent Brazil once again. The young defender remained on the bench in the first game against Canada, where the South American side won 1-0. In the second match, she came off the bench in the second match where the North American team won 2-0.

The ladies are now all back with NJ/NY Gotham FC. They will prepare for the semifinals of the NWSL playoffs after their 2-0 win against the North Carolina Courage.