Gotham FC news roundup: New Year's Eve, Crystal Dunn, and Ifeoma Onumonu

NJ/NY Gotham FC is in the middle of the offseason. However, the club is already making moves, including the recent acquisition of Crystal Dunn. The club has been busy creating an even more competitive team for the new year. Plus, they have also been having fun as well.

Here is the latest edition of the Gotham FC news roundup.

The Gotham FC news roundup: Celebrations and player moves

Gotham players ring in the New Year

On New Year's Eve, Gotham FC players rang in the New Year by attending New York City's New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square. Ali Kieger, Kelley O'Hara, and Midge Purce represented the 2023 NWSL Champions at the event. Then, the Bats' latest signing, Dunn, also joined the players.

During the night, they were interviewed about the season and the NWSL Championship. There were even some silly jokes made by the interviewer. However, the moment of the night was joining the Mayor of New York to ring in the New Year. This is a rare honor that few get to experience.

The Gotham ladies looked like they had a fun time. Moreover, it was a great way for Krieger to spend her final day as a professional player, for her contract ended at midnight.

Crystal Dunn admitted some feelings about Portland

The signing of Dunn was a great way to end 2023. The USWNT star was well-wanted by many clubs, and Gotham FC fans hoped she would find her way home. Thankfully, she chose the Bats.

Meanwhile, it turns out her old club, Portland Thorns FC, was not even considered. She opened up to Pro Soccer Wire about the former team. She admitted one of the reasons she left was that she did not feel valued by the club. She did not want to go into further details, which is understandable and illuminates she still respects Portland.

She still loves her former teammates, so there was difficulty with the decision. She felt it was time to move on and was grateful free agency came around when it did.

As a result, she was able to return home to the New York tri-state area. Gotham FC might play in New Jersey, but there is a reason the state and New York are both in the club's name. Hence, Dunn is truly home.

Gotham FC made another trade

Gotham FC continued to make moves before 2024. On Saturday, the team announced they traded Ifeoma Onumonu to the Utah Royals. In return, the Bats will receive $40,000 in allocation money.

The forward played three seasons with Gotham. In her first two years, she started 35 of her 40 games. But in 2023, she saw her playing time decrease, starting only four of her 14 regular season appearances. Therefore, the move made sense. The 29-year-old was not getting as much playing time, and it would likely decrease more in 2024.

This will allow Onumonu a chance to become a starter again. She will be missed, but fans and the club can appreciate her time with NJ/NY Gotham FC.