Mid-summer update

The Bats have kept themselves busy during this summer break, and the front office not so much. Let’s take a look at all there is to catch up on from this 6 week summer break so far.

Bats on international duty

Gotham has had 10 players called up for international duty during this window. Here’s what each of them has been up to.

Esther González: Esther has played 3 games, started 2 of them, and scored 4 goals so far in Spain’s UEFA Women’s Euro campaign. In addition, she came in off the bench in Spain’s pre-Euro friendly against Japan. Next, Spain is heading to the knockout stages of the tournament where they will face off against Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18th at 3 PM ET on Fox Sports.

Ann-Katrin Berger: Berger has started all three of Germany’s matches in the Euros so far, earning one shutout against Poland. Germany next plays France in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 19th at 3 PM ET on Fox Sports.

Jess Carter: Carter has started in all three of England’s matches in the Euros so far, as well as in the Lionesses' pre-Euro friendly against Jamaica where she earned herself an assist. England next plays Sweden in the Euro quarterfinals on Thursday, July 17th at 3 PM ET on Fox Sports.

Josefine Hasbo: Gotham’s newest midfielder Hasbo has also been playing for her country, Denmark, in the Euros. She started 1 match and came on as a substitute in the other 2. Denmark’s journey in the Euros has unfortunately concluded as the side failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.

Gabi Portilho: Brazil’s Copa América Femenina campaign kicked off last night, and Portilho’s start in their win against Venezuela marked her first game minutes since April. Brazil next plays Bolivia on Wednesday, July 16th at 5 PM ET on Fox Sports.

Stella Nyamekye: Nyamekye has made one appearance as a substitute in Ghana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana’s next match is against Tanzania today, July 14th, at 3 PM ET on beIN SPORTS.

Rose Lavelle: Lavelle started 2 matches and came off the bench in 1 in the USWNT’s most recent slate of friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Canada. She scored 1 goal and bagged 2 assists across the three matches. The USWNT is not set to play any more matches this window.

Emily Sonnett: Sonnett started 2 matches in the USWNT’s most recent slate of friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Canada. The USWNT is not set to play any more matches this window.

Lilly Reale: Reale made her USWNT debut in this window, starting 2 matches in the team’s most recent slate of friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Canada, and earned her first national team assist. The USWNT is not set to play any more matches this window.

Sarah Schupansky: Schupansky was called up to training camp for the USWNT U-23 team this window.

Contract updates

Gotham FC confirmed that the club would not be renewing forward Jéssica Silva’s contract that was set to expire on June 30th, 2025. Silva’s next destination is not yet known.

In addition, Gotham announced today that the club has signed midfielder Meg Boade and defender Kayla Duran on national team replacement contracts ahead of the team’s next NWSL league match against the Chicago Stars on Friday, August 1st. Boade most recently played on a short term contract for the Washington Spirit, and this is Duran’s first professional contract.

These signings could mean that Gotham is not planning on signing any players in the midfield or defense during this summer window—if this is the case, we think this is unwise, particularly as Gotham gears up for multi-match weeks as the 2025/26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup starts up in August. Gotham currently has 5 active defenders on its roster, one of whom has played more minutes as a winger than as a defender this season, and the Bats have already suffered the consequences of this thin defense on multiple occasions.

Summer break friendlies

Gotham has yet to announce any friendly matches during this summer break—this could possibly be because of the upcoming CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage matches starting in August.

We will be back with a full summer recap and a match preview ahead of Gotham’s match against Chicago, and will report any breaking news as it happens. In the meantime, be sure to catch a New York Liberty match, follow along on Midge Purce’s journey making TikToks with the Gotham FC rookies, and hope that we see a permanent signing this summer.

Thumbnail courtesy of Gotham FC.