Essentially the most dependable supply of targets on this title-winning period of Gotham FC has left the group.
Gotham and ahead Esther González agreed to a mutual contract termination, the membership introduced Monday.
González is returning to her native Spain together with her household as she “briefly steps away from soccer to attend to private issues.”
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“This journey has surpassed each expectation I had once I first got here to Gotham,” González mentioned in a press release. “Collectively we achieved every part there’s to attain, and I’ll eternally be proud to say that with this membership, I received all of it.”
Esther González dribbles throughout Gotham FC’s recreation in opposition to Washington Spirit at Citi Subject on July 15, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY Publish
González was below contract by means of the 2027 NWSL season.
The departure places an added highlight on striker Sam Kerr, who lately re-joined Gotham and performs the identical place as González.
Kerr began and scored in Friday evening’s 2-2 attract Portland, a contest spoiled by Emily Sonnett’s exit resulting from an obvious knee damage.
González, 33, ranks as Gotham’s all-time main scorer with 33 targets throughout all NWSL competitions.
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She joined Gotham late within the season in 2023, and went on to steer the group to its first NWSL title, scoring the game-winning aim within the championship recreation.
Final season, she was an MVP finalist after scoring 13 regular-season targets (second within the Golden Boot race), and helped Gotham safe a second NWSL crown. She additionally received a Concacaf W Champions Cup and an NWSL Problem Cup throughout her tenure.
González scored 4 targets in her remaining three video games this season as Gotham surged to second place within the NWSL standings.
Gotham FC ahead Esther González celebrates after scoring a aim throughout a NWSL match in 2025. Noah Okay. Murray for the NY Publish
“Esther has been a mannequin skilled on and off the sphere, serving to us win 4 main trophies and serving as a revered chief in our group,” mentioned Yael Averbuch West, the president of soccer operations for Gotham FC. “We thank her for 3 nice years filled with world-class moments of brilliance.”
González can be a mainstay with the Spanish nationwide group, which is taken into account a co-favorite together with america for subsequent summer time’s World Cup.
