Gotham FC loses Delanie Sheehan in first NWSL free agency ripple

NWSL free agency has begun, and it kicked off with a serious subtraction for Gotham FC.Do-it-all midfielder Delanie Sheehan agreed Wednesday to sign with the Houston Dash, ending her four-year run with Gotham.The 25-year-old Sheehan, a fourth-round pick out of UCLA in 2021, emerged as a regular starter in 2023 as Gotham completed a worst-to-first championship run under head coach Juan Carlos Amoros.In 2024, Sheehan made 24 starts, and finished with two goals and an assist.She started in the playoff semifinal, when Gotham fell to the Washington Spirit on penalty kicks.Sheehan proved to be an important ball-mover in the midfield, ranking third on the team in progressive passes.“Delanie is an amazing player, who has grown tremendously during her time with us at the club,” Gotham FC general manager Yael Averbuch West said in a statement.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Delanie and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.”With Gotham’s loaded roster, Sheehan was in line for a larger role and/or a raise with a bottom-table team.She got a two-year deal from Houston with a mutual option for 2027.But Averbuch West now has a vacancy to address in the midfield to address as Gotham plunges into free agency.Forward Midge Purce, who missed most of the 2024 season following a torn ACL, is Gotham’s other notable internal free agent....