appearance

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Mandy Freeman sat at a high-top desk in a semi-crowded Civic Middle on Thursday afternoon and appeared on the motion taking place round her.

Her Gotham FC teammates appeared like rock stars as reporters and influencers sought their perception earlier than Saturday’s championship match towards the Spirit.

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It’s the second time in three years the veteran has witnessed this media frenzy forward of an NWSL Championship recreation.

Gotham FC defender Mandy Freeman arrived with the franchise in 2017, when it was known as Sky Blue FC. Noah Okay. Murray

The rocky journey for the franchise to be on this place — to be a constant title contender and playoff risk — shouldn’t be misplaced on Freeman, Gotham’s longest-tenured participant.

“Having seen all of it and seen what this membership actually could be, I’m grateful that I’ve caught it out for so long as I’ve,” Freeman instructed The Submit. “I feel I’ve an excellent appreciation for what this membership has actually put behind its individuals. … I really feel like we simply at all times have actually good gamers and actually high quality employees which can be serving to elevate us in every single place.”

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Freeman joined Gotham once they have been often known as Sky Blue FC.

She was 21 and a current USC grad, with championship aspirations.

Actuality dulled her rose-colored glasses. Instability and underwhelming performances haunted the franchise for years.

Over her first 4 seasons, Gotham by no means completed increased than sixth.

It wasn’t till 2021 that Gotham earned their first playoff berth for the reason that NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013.

Freeman has had six coaches in 9 seasons.

“Going from Sky Blue, drafted out of school [in] 2017 to who we are actually, it hasn’t been a simple experience,” Freeman mentioned. “There’s undoubtedly been highs and lows. We’ve had actually poor seasons and had actually nice seasons.”

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Midfielder Taryn Torres can relate.

“My rookie yr [in 2022], we have been in lifeless final place,” she mentioned. “The coach was eliminated midway by means of the yr, numerous adversity.”

Kansas Metropolis Present ahead Michelle Cooper (17) and Gotham FC defender Mandy Freeman (22) compete for a ball. Kylie Graham-Imagn Photographs

These darkish days are actually a distant reminiscence for Torres, Freeman and the few different remaining relics of the previous.

Gotham introduced in new possession and administration.

Juan Carlos Amorós has remodeled Gotham into one of many league’s steadiest, most enjoyable groups.

Possession’s belief in Amorós is so robust that Gotham prolonged the Spaniard’s contract by means of 2029.

The deal, introduced in April, ensured the franchise has continuity and a revered voice.

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“The staff that I obtained drafted to shouldn’t be the identical staff that we are actually — numerous turnover with gamers, bringing in new possession and new administration which have actually proven an excellent appreciation for who we’re as gamers and have a transparent thought of the place they need the membership to go,” Freeman mentioned. “We at all times say that we wish to be form of the worldwide head of girls’s sports activities and simply sports activities typically simply being in a New York market. So I feel having that clear thought has actually form of put collectively an identification of who we’re and who we wish to be.”

The motto, “At all times constructing, by no means completed,” is plastered throughout Gotham’s apply facility, serving as a relentless reminder that the method to excellence is endless. It retains the once-dysfunctional franchise in pursuit of championships.

The swap appeared to flip for Gotham in 2023.

That season, they captured the ultimate spot within the playoff image and pulled off upset after upset earlier than finally profitable the franchise’s first championship.

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Final yr, Gotham have been in place to win once more.

Seattle Reign FC ahead Emery Adames, left, pursues the ball within the purpose field towards NJ/NY Gotham FC defender Mandy Freeman, proper, throughout the second half of an NWSL soccer match Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Seattle. AP

They ended the common season in third place for the membership’s finest end in franchise historical past.

However the Spirit spoiled their probability at a repeat in final yr’s semifinals.

Freeman, Torres and Amorós are two of the few holdovers from the 2023 staff.

This season hasn’t been excellent.

Accidents induced the staff to play completely different lineups, which generally resulted in inconsistent play.

Gotham stumbled on the finish of the season and fell to eighth within the standings.

However Amorós feels his staff has particular magic.

“It’s a unique magic, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly our magic,” he mentioned. “We work so laborious to guarantee that we get thus far. … It’s simply the journey. Every group is completely different and we attempt to guarantee that we are able to management the controllables that may get us thus far.”