Sarah Schupansky wasn’t supposed to be this important — not this soon.
But just 13 games into her rookie season, the 21-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most consistent and impactful players on a Gotham FC squad stacked with experience and international talent. With one goal and four assists, 11 out of 13 starts, and a growing influence across the attacking third, Schupansky has quickly become a key figure in Gotham’s success.
Operating primarily as an advanced No. 8 or attacking midfielder, Schupansky has quickly found her rhythm in the professional ranks. Her underlying numbers back it up: she averages 2.67 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, a stat that tracks the two offensive actions directly leading to a shot, and has already registered 14 key passes. She’s Gotham’s top set-piece taker, averaging 4.6 corners per 90, with one of those corner deliveries leading to a goal in the semifinal of the 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup against Club América.
Among Gotham’s midfielders, Sarah Schupansky has quickly emerged as a key creative force. While teammates like Taryn Torres and Jaelin Howell play important roles in maintaining balance and supporting the team’s structure, Schupansky stands out for her offensive production. Torres, who has appeared in 11 matches, contributes solidly on both ends, averaging 0.7 shot-creating actions and 0.28 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes. Howell, operating primarily in a defensive role, adds stability with 1.9 shot-creating actions and 0.08 goal-creating actions per 90. Schupansky, however, leads the team with 2.67 shot-creating actions per 90 and four assists, making her a crucial part of Gotham’s attacking efforts in her rookie season.
Schupansky’s four assists lead the team, and she ranks in the 99th percentile for assists per 90 minutes among NWSL midfielders. Her expected assisted goals (xAG) also sit in the 97th percentile, meaning she’s regularly creating high-quality chances. Add in an 88th percentile mark in goal-creating actions, and it’s clear she’s become one of Gotham’s most dangerous playmakers in the attacking third.
The rookie has shown up in big moments, too. Schupansky picked up her first professional assist on April 18, setting up Esther González in a 4–0 win over Angel City FC. A week later, she bagged both her first professional goal and another assist to González in a 3–0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
That early success is no fluke — Schupansky has been building to this moment for years.
She arrived at Gotham FC in December 2024, signing her first professional contract after a standout collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh. Her résumé in the NCAA was nothing short of historic. Schupansky scored seven goals and recorded six assists in her freshman season, followed by another seven-goal, eight-assist campaign as a sophomore that helped Pittsburgh reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
By her junior year in 2023, she had become one of the top attacking players in the country, notching 11 goals and 14 assists across 24 matches. She was named to the All-ACC first team, the first Panther in history to earn that distinction, and helped the program reach both the ACC tournament semifinal and NCAA tournament quarterfinals.
In her senior season, Schupansky tallied seven goals and a nation-leading 15 assists in just 18 games, earning second-team All-ACC honors and finishing her college career as one of Pitt’s most decorated players. She also played in the USL W League with Racing Louisville’s development squad during the summer of 2023, further sharpening her game before entering the pro ranks.
Since joining Gotham, her rapid adjustment has been undeniable. She earned player of the match honors on her professional debut on March 15, a 1–1 draw against Seattle, and played a central role in Gotham’s run to the CONCACAF W Champions Cup title in May, assisting Geyse in the semifinal and starting in the final against Tigres.
Her performances have even drawn the attention of the U.S. national team setup. In March, Schupansky was invited to a training camp with the U.S. U-23 squad, joining sessions alongside the senior national team.
For a player still navigating her first professional season, Schupansky is making a compelling case that she belongs among the league’s elite creators. She’s not just a promising rookie; she’s already one of the most vital cogs in Gotham FC’s midfield engine.
And if her early returns are any indication, her best is still yet to come.
