star Esther González has agreed to a mutual contract termination, abruptly departing the NWSL membership midseason to take care of a private matter in Spain.
on Monday, July 27 that the worldwide ahead would “briefly step away from soccer” as she returned to her house nation.
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González, 33, departs Gotham because the membership’s all-time main scorer, a two-time NWSL Finest XI performer, a 2025 NWSL MVP finalist and a two-time NWSL champion.
“We want Esther and her household all one of the best as they return house to Spain,” stated Yael Averbuch West, the president of soccer operations for Gotham FC.
“Esther has been a mannequin skilled on and off the sector, serving to us win 4 main trophies and serving as a revered chief in our crew. We thank her for 3 nice years filled with world-class moments of brilliance. We are going to at all times assist Esther wherever her path leads.”
González was an excused absence for Gotham’s most up-to-date recreation, a 2-2 draw on the Portland Thorns on Friday, July 24. She has scored six targets in 15 appearances this season for the defending champions, who’re at present second total within the league desk.
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The striker joined Gotham FC in the summertime of 2023, making a right away impression and serving to Gotham win the NWSL championship that season.
Gotham earned its second title in 2025 as González scored 13 instances within the common season.
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 12: Houston Sprint midfielder Linda Ullmark (30) makes an attempt a shot as Denver Summit FC defender Kaleigh Kurtz (3) defends in the course of the second half at Dick’s Sporting Items Park. The sport led to a 2-2 tie.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 12: Houston Sprint midfielder Linda Ullmark (30) makes an attempt a shot as Denver Summit FC defender Kaleigh Kurtz (3) defends in the course of the second half at Dick’s Sporting Items Park. The sport led to a 2-2 tie.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 4: North Carolina Braveness midfielder Ashley Sanchez (2) shoots the ball previous Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Cassie Miller (38) in the course of the second half at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina gained the sport, 3-1.
(William Howard, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 3: Kansas Metropolis Present midfielder Michelle Cooper (17) and Denver Summit FC defender Natalie Means (4) battle for the ball in the course of the second half at Centennial Stadium. The KC Present gained the sport, 3-0.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Might 23: Houston Sprint defender Leah Klenke (4) makes an attempt to leap over Angel Metropolis FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller (17) in the course of the first half at Shell Vitality Stadium. The Houston Sprint gained the sport, 2-1.
(Maria Lysaker, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Might 15: Bay FC ahead Racheal Kundananji (entrance) competes with Boston Legacy FC defender Bianca St-Georges in the course of the first half at PayPal Park. The sport led to a 1-1 tie.
(Kelley L Cox, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Might 9: Houston Sprint ahead Kate Faasse (left) controls the ball towards the Denver Summit FC at Shell Vitality Stadium. The Denver Summit gained the sport, 4-1.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Might 9: Boston Legacy FC goalkeeper Casey Murphy (1) performs the ball towards Gotham FC in the course of the second half at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium. The sport led to a 1-1 draw.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Might 3: Portland Thorns FC midfielder Cassandra Bogere (6) defends Chicago Stars FC midfielder Manaka Hayashi (16) in the course of the first half at Northwestern Medication Area at Martin Stadium. The Portland Thorns gained the sport, 2-0.
(David Banks, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Might 2: North Caroilna Braveness goalie Kailen Sheridan (1) clears the ball off a nook kick in the course of the second half towards the KC Present at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. KC Present gained the sport, 2-1.
(William Howard, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: The Houston Sprint’s Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Braveness’s Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball in the course of the first half at Shell Vitality Stadium. The North Carolina Braveness gained the sport, 1-0.
(Maria Lysaker, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: Boston Legacy FC’s Josefine Hasbo (5) defends towards Chicago Stars FC’s Jordyn Huitema in the course of the first half at Northwestern Medication Area at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars gained the sport, 2-0.
(David Banks, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 24: Kansas Metropolis Present goalkeeper Lorena (23) drops a nook kick permitting the Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman to attain a aim in the course of the first half at Audi Area. The Washington Spirit gained the sport, 4-0.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 5: Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd (9) heads the ball towards Bay FC in the course of the second half at PayPal Park. The Washington Spirit gained the sport, 2-0.
(John Hefti, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC’s Melissa Kossler in the course of the first half at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit gained the sport, 2-0.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 25: The Washington Spirit’s Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball towards the Utah Royals at Audi Area. The sport led to a 1-1 draw.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 22: San Diego Wave FC’s Laurina Fazer (left) and the Utah Royals’ Cece Delzer battle for possession in the course of the first half at America First Area. The San Diego Wave gained the sport, 2-1.
(Aaron Baker, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: The North Carolina Braveness’s Riley Jackson (proper) fights for the ball towards Gotham FC’s Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) in the course of the first half at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium. The match led to a 0-0 draw.
(Mark Smith, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Houston Sprint midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends in the course of the first half at Shell Vitality Stadium. Houston gained the sport, 3-0.
(Maria Lysaker, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: North Carolina Braveness followers maintain yellow and pink playing cards throughout second half towards the Racing Louisville FC at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina gained the match, 2-1.
(Jaylynn Nash, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: A Volaris airplane flies over the stadium in the course of the Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC recreation at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Bay FC gained the match, 2-1, in what was the first-ever recreation for the Denver Summit.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: Utah Royals midfielder Janni Thomsen (7) dribbles up area towards the Kansas Metropolis Present in the course of the second half at CPKC Stadium. Kansas Metropolis gained the match, 2-1.
(Peter Aiken, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: Boston Legacy FC midfielder Alba Caño (26) and NY/NJ Gotham FC midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (10) battle for the ball in the course of the first half of the sport at Gillette Stadium. Gotham FC gained the match – the primary in Boston Legacy FC historical past – 1-0.
(Natalie Reid, Imagn Pictures)
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NWSL motion, targets, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 13: The Washington Spirit prepare for a nook kick in the course of the second half towards the Portland Thorns at Audi Area. Portland gained the NWSL 2026 season opener, 1-0.
(Jordyn Harris, Imagn Pictures)
“Gotham FC will at all times maintain a really particular place in my coronary heart,” González stated in an announcement within the launch. “From the second I arrived, I felt one thing distinctive about this membership — the individuals, the atmosphere, the way in which everybody works collectively each single day. I’m grateful for every second shared with my teammates, the coaches and each single member of this membership.
“This journey has surpassed each expectation I had once I first got here to Gotham. Collectively we achieved every thing there’s to realize, and I’ll perpetually be proud to say that with this membership, I gained all of it. However past the trophies, Gotham is the place the place I grew in so some ways — as a participant, as an expert and, most significantly, as an individual. And it’s right here, in New Jersey, the place my household grew, too.
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“I carry so many unimaginable recollections with me, however I do know that each time I consider this membership, I’ll achieve this with a smile on my face. Thanks, Gotham, for every thing.”
