Gotham FC is preparing to test itself against the world’s best clubs later this month as it competes in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, the world’s first intercontinental women’s club championship. The competition runs January 28 to February 1 in England and features the reigning continental champions from UEFA, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and CAF.
Gotham enters as the 2024-25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup winner and will face Brazilian powerhouse SC Corinthians, the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina champions, in the semifinal on January 28 at Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford. The winner will advance to the final at Emirates Stadium on February 1 to play either Arsenal, the 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League winners, or Moroccan club AS FAR, the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League champions.
Gotham is currently training in Sotogrande, Spain, as part of its buildup to the tournament. Veteran defender Mandy Freeman told reporters Friday that the team’s energy and morale are high during preseason, even after a brief weather delay. The squad has carried the intensity from last year straight into training, hitting the ground running as it prepares for the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
“It’s been a great feeling coming off last season,” Freeman said, reflecting on the team’s NWSL championship win. “We just jumped right back into training, and everyone is ready for what’s coming.” She highlighted how the club kept players in shape during the shortened offseason and emphasized the tournament’s significance, calling it a chance to test Gotham against the best teams globally.
Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós has guided Gotham to historic success, including two NWSL titles and a CONCACAF W Champions Cup. He said during Friday’s media session that the team’s continued excellence comes from a relentless focus on daily improvement and enjoying the process, rather than obsessing over outcomes.
“We try to focus on the day-to-day,” Amorós said. “If we enjoy ourselves and perform better, then we’re going to be able to win in the short term and in the long term.” He praised the squad’s hunger for winning, noting that even after claiming trophies, players are already thinking about the next challenge.
Amorós also reflected on how his vision for Gotham has become tangible as the club has grown. “When I came here, I wanted to leave a legacy… Obviously, we’ve made history with the trophies and success we’ve had at club level, but also at an individual development level. It’s becoming more and more real,” he said, crediting management, staff and players for going above and beyond.
Freeman discussed the growth of the club since joining in 2017 and the role veteran leadership plays in helping newcomers adjust. Players like collegiate standouts Andrea Kitahata and Talia Sommer, as well as NWSL veteran Savannah McCaskill, are learning Gotham’s style and culture from experienced teammates.
“That means getting the new players we have in camp on board with our playing style, the connection and the culture of the team, and fixing the little things we felt could have improved our standings last year as well,” Freeman said.
Gotham heads into preseason with a 29-player squad:
Goalkeepers (3): Ann-Katrin Berger, Ryan Campbell, Shelby Hogan
Defenders (8): Bruninha, Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, Kayla Duran**, Mandy Freeman, Kat Jordan*, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders (10): Sofia Cook, Josefine Hasbo, Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle, Savannah McCaskill, Stella Nyamekye, Sarah Schupansky, Jaedyn Shaw, Talia Sommer, Taryn Torres
Forwards (8): Princess Ademiluyi, Esther González, Khyah Harper, Andrea Kitahata, Gabi Portilho, Midge Purce, Katie Stengel**, Mak Whitham
* Non-roster invitee
** Contract expires following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
By combining experience, new additions and meticulous preparation, Gotham is aiming to extend its NWSL success onto the international stage and compete for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup title.
