NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

Four Gotham FC Players Confirmed for FIFA Women's World Cup

June 21, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


HARRISON, NJ - NJ/NY Gotham FC today confirmed that four players have been called up to represent their countries, and one has been named to a provisional roster, for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup this summer. Announced live on Wednesday morning on NBC's Today Show, Gotham FC midfielder Kristie Mewis, defender Kelley O'Hara, and forward Lynn Williams were named to the U.S. Women's National Team. In addition, Gotham FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu has been named to the Nigeria Women's National Team, and midfielder Sinead Farrelly is on the provisional roster for Ireland.

Kristie Mewis has 191 career appearances and 32 career goals in all competitions in the National Women's Soccer League. She played for the USWNT from 2013-14, but was out of the pool for more than five years, during which time she suffered an ACL injury. Mewis earned her way back onto the U.S. squad in 2020, and became a bronze medalist for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

With 51 caps and seven goals for the USWNT, Mewis is preparing for her first FIFA Women's World Cup.

"Making the World Cup roster means that everything I have done up until this point in my life has been worth it," said Mewis. "I feel fulfilled, but extremely motivated to bring home the trophy."

After signing a new muti-year contract with Gotham FC yesterday at the top of the Empire State Building, Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams will now prepare to compete in her first World Cup as well.

"No words can describe what making this World Cup roster means to me, but I'll try," said Williams. "All the injuries, the tears, the sacrifices of being away from my family, fulfilling a lifelong dream, I finally did it. I'm just really excited, really proud of myself, and now I can't wait to get to work."

Williams has earned 52 appearances, scored 15 goals, and dished out 12 assists for Team USA in addition to winning an Olympic Bronze medal with Gotham FC teammate Mewis in Tokyo.

Since joining Gotham FC from the Kansas City Current via NWSL Draft-day trade this season, the three-time champion (2016, 2018, 2019), Golden Boot winner (2016), and former MVP (2016) continues to add to an already-illustrious, nine-year NWSL career, becoming the league's all-time career leader in game winning goals (19) and the only player in league history to surpass combined goal contributions of 60 career goals (63) and 25 career assists (26).

Gotham FC defender, two-time World Cup champion, and Olympic gold medalist Kelley O'Hara is among the only three USWNT players earning a call-up to a fourth Women's World Cup tournament.

"It's an honor to be representing the U.S. in my fourth World Cup," said O'Hara. "I know how special it is to be part of this team, and I am laser-focused on helping bring home another championship!"

O'Hara has 157 caps, 21 assists, and three goals for the USWNT. An experienced player for club and country, she famously scored her first USWNT goal in the 2015 Women's World Cup semifinal in 2-0 win over Germany. For club, she scored the game-winning goal in extra time of the 2021 NWSL Championship.

Also shining in the international stage will Gotham FC forward Ifeoma "Ify" Onumonu, who will make her first trip to the World Cup with Nigeria in a full-circle moment. In 2019, she was signed by Seattle Reign as a National Team Replacement Player ahead of the event.

"It's incredibly exciting. It's probably going to be the highlight of my career," said Onumonu. "I feel absolutely blessed, and it's going to be a roller coaster of a ride, but I am ready."

Onumonu has 17 career goals in all NWSL competitions.

Gotham FC midfielder / forward Sinead Farrelly has been named to the provisional roster for Ireland. After nearly eight years away from the game, Farrelly attended Gotham FC training camp as a non-roster invitee and earned her way onto the New Jersey-New York side. She earned her first caps for Ireland in friendlies against the U.S. in April. Ireland will announce its final roster in the near future.

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