Gotham FCs preseason Spain trip is even more important after offseason rebuild
Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós sat in the comfortable Marbella, Spain, sun Friday as he fielded a variety of questions via Zoom with reporters.Beyond the laptop that sat on the table in front of him was a picturesque view of palm trees, sandy beaches and the Mediterranean Sea.It is indeed paradise.But this trip is far from a vacation for Amorós and Gotham.After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the NWSL semifinals, Gotham experienced some roster shake-up this winter and needs every bit of preseason training the team can get to regroup for the upcoming season.Crystal Dunn, Lynn Williams, Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan were among members of last season’s team who have signed to play elsewhere this season.On the flip side, Gotham added Brazilian star Gabi Portilho, U.S.Youth National Team defender Lilly Reale and former Seattle Reign midfielder Jaelin Howell along with several college standouts for the 2025 season.Gotham also re-signed star Midge Purce, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, to a one-year deal this week.Purce joined the team for some of its practice Thursday.
She’s considered “100 percent healthy,” according to Amorós, but still has some limitations on what she can and cannot do.It’s unclear whether she will be available for the team’s season opener March 15 at the Seattle Reign.Gotham also doesn’t have an established time for Rose Lavelle to return after she had offseason ankle surgery.Having two stars on the mend and introducing plenty of new faces to Gotham’s style is part of what makes the team’s trip to Spain so important.“Nothing bonds a team like an international trip,” defender Mandy Freeman said.“We’re all here kind of in the same space.
We spend a lot of time together outside of training.Just building friendship and relationships.”Gotham’s accommodations are just a short walk away from both the beach and practice field.
That was by design.Because as much as this preseason camp is about get...