How to build a champion NWSL roster, as told by Gotham: ‘There’s always a science to it’
Two days after Gotham lifted the 2025 NWSL Championship trophy in San Jose, Calif. , the club’s general manager and head of soccer operations, Yael Averbuch West, stood on the steps of New York City Hall as music blared through the crisp air and fans cheered. She urged everyone on that November morning to “pay really close attention to what we’re building”.
The club’s path to lifting their second NWSL crown in three seasons has been every bit intentional, with deliberate steps taken year-round, including on that day. As players enjoyed their long-overdue championship parade in New York, the club’s sporting staff remained in California to scout one of their top college prospects for 2026. “There’s a lot of work to be done to sustain success,” Averbuch West told The Athletic in December, weeks after winning that championship.
“Winning a little bit is relatively easy, but winning a lot and winning consistently over a long period of time is incredibly hard, and that part of the project is really what I’m focused on. How do we make this the norm at Gotham? That’s the puzzle now.
” Gotham returns to Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday for their 2026 home opener against North Carolina Courage. The evening could feature the long-anticipated return of captain Tierna Davidson, whose season was cut short last year by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. It follows Gotham’s opening win against Boston Legacy, in front of a historic Gillette Stadium crowd .
The reigning NWSL Champions have entered a new season ambitious as ever. Last week, the club signed former Chelsea star Guro Reiten , one of the best left-footed wingers in the world. Her arrival, on an initial loan to July before a free agent move in the summer, will boost a team bursting with talent — from World Cup winners and Olympic medalists, to promising young stars.
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