Tierna Davidson named Gotham FC captain as team finalizes 2025 roster

Their teammates have spoken. Defender Tierna Davidson on Tuesday was named Gotham FC’s captain. She’ll be at the head of the club’s leadership group that was picked by the players and also features defenders Jess Carter and Mandy Freeman as well as midfielders Rose Lavelle and Nealy Martin. Davidson, 26, will take over the captain role from Michelle Betos, who retired from playing after the 2024 season and is currently serving as Gotham’s assistant goalkeeper coach. Davidson is the only member of Gotham’s 2024 leadership group who’s still with the team as a player. The 2024 leadership group included McCall Zerboni, Kelley O’Hara, Lynn Williams, Davidson and Crystal Dunn. Zerboni is working in broadcasting and O’Hara retired after last season.Meanwhile, Williams was traded to the Seattle Reign this offseason and Dunn left to play for Paris Saint-Germain.Gotham’s leadership group announcement comes as the club finalized its 24-player roster for the upcoming season. The team welcomed back its 2024 top goal scorers, Ella Stevens and Lavelle.

Gotham also signed Brazilian star Gabi Protilhol and midfielder Jaelin Howell and added former UCLA stars Sofia Cook and Lilly Reale after experiencing a few high-profile departures this winter. Also back in the mix is forward Midge Purse, who was recently removed from the season-ending injury list after she spent the past year recovering from a knee injury she suffered last March.Purse’s status for the team’s season opener Saturday in Seattle remains unclear. Meanwhile, Lavelle remains sidelined for the foreseeable future after having offseason foot surgery. Here’s a look at Gotham’s 2025 roster: Ann-Katrin Berger (INTL), Ryan Campbell, Shelby HoganBruninha (INTL), Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, Mandy Freeman, Lilly Reale, Emily SonnettSofia Cook, Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle, Nealy Martin, Stella Nyamekye (INTL), Taryn TorresEsther Gonzalez (INTL), Khyah Harper, Cece Kizer, Gabi Portilho (INTL), ...