In Gotham FC’s case, the rich are only getting richer.
After winning their first-ever NWSL title and signing United States Women’s National Team members Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson, Gotham has pulled off other league-altering acquisitions for USWNT stars on Thursday, announcing the signings of Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett through the 2026 season.
“We are incredibly excited to have two exceptional talents like Rose and Emily join the club,” Gotham FC general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West said. “Rose is a crafty and entertaining player, and our fans and club will be very excited to watch her at Red Bull Arena, and Sonnett is a true professional and competitor, who understands what success in the league looks like. The club and our fans are extremely excited to have players of their stature as we build upon the success of last season.”
Lavelle, known for a lethal left foot, has made 92 caps for the national team since breaking through in 2017. The midfielder recorded 24 goals while becoming a household name during the United States’ run to the 2019 World Cup title, recording one of her side’s two goals in the Final against the Netherlands. She earned the Bronze Ball at the tournament, awarded to the third-best player.
Domestically, she’s spent the last three seasons with OL Reign, though her time last season was limited due to injury. She came back in time to provide the key assist on the game-winning goal that lifted the club to the NWSL championship game where she scored her side’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Gotham.
“Rose is an amazing talent, and we are very excited to have her as a part of the club,” head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said. “She is a very exciting player to watch because of her creative and technical abilities. Rose brings so much to every team she is on, and I am very excited to work with her this season.”
Sonnett is a defender who not only is a World Cup champion but also a two-time NWSL winner. She was teammates alongside Lavelle with OL Reign last year.
The resolute back started 19 matches last season, recording 1,677 minutes with an 80% successful pass rate — a talent to shore up Gotham’s back line after losing NWSL Defender of the Year finalist Ali Krieger to retirement.
“I am very excited to work with Emily Sonnett next season, as we continue to build off our success from last season,” Amoros said. “She is a very strong player, who plays the game with great passion. We are very excited to have a player and leader like her at the club.”
