Gotham FC sign star goalie Ann-Katrin Berger to long-term contract

As Gotham FC prepares to make another postseason run on the field, the defending champions keep taking care of business off the field.Star goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger signed a contract extension that runs through 2026, the team announced Friday.The 33-year-old Berger joined Gotham from English giants Chelsea in April, several months behind the team’s high-profile free-agent class headlined by Rose Lavelle and Crystal Dunn, but her addition has been no less impactful — and perhaps more so.Berger has allowed just 12 goals in 17 starts, which includes 12 wins and seven clean sheets.She’s saved Gotham a net 6.7 goals above expected, per advanced metrics, which leads NWSL goalies on a per-minute basis.“I have really enjoyed my time here, and I am very excited for the future with this club,” Berger said in a team statement.

“This environment is truly special, and I am excited to continue to compete and be the best I can be.”Berger also was a standout this summer at the Paris Olympics, backstopping Germany to a bronze medal.“We are very excited to have Ann with us for the long term,” GM Yael Averbuch West said in the statement, “and look forward to her first playoff experience with us.”Third-place Gotham (13-4-4) clinched a playoff berth with this past Sunday’s win over the Utah Royals, and then members of the championship 2023 squad proceeded to Washington for an historic visit to the White House.On Saturday, they travel to Kansas City to take on the fourth-place Current (1 p.m.ET, CBS) with five matches remaining in the NWSL regular season....