NJ/NY Gotham FC is about to do something historic, once again, but this time off the pitch. This coming Monday, September 23rd, reigning NWSL champions will be the first in the league to be invited to the White House for their 2023 title. It will include key participants in the club: players, coaching staff, owners, and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, accompanied by the President of the United States, Joe Biden.
Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).
The recognition underlined how fast-paced the improvement and strength of the status quo are in women's soccer in the United States, particularly at a time when the NWSL has smashed attendance records, with more than 1.5 million fans attending games in stadiums.
Gotham FC's Incredible Comeback
To put this into context, one needs to understand how Gotham FC won the 2023 NWSL championship. Not only was this run not expected from this team, but just the year before that, they finished dead last, going through various setbacks and disappointments that season. It was a huge comeback, one of those stories of resilience and determination seldom told.
Thus, at the final, Gotham was in an uphill battle, but goals by Lynn Williams and Esther sealed the win. There were some dicey moments during the match, like the two minutes where defender Nealy Martin had to take over the net to withstand the pressure and seal the win. This was really an underdog story of teamwork and conquering adversity, and now comes the acknowledgment at one of the most prestigious stages in the world: the White House.
The victory for Gotham FC-not only marked the club's first NWSL trophy but has become a symbol of the rise of a team which would not be defeated by obstacles.
A Historic Moment for the NWSL
But this White House visit is not just about Gotham FC; it's historic in its own right for all of the NWSL. This marks the first time an NWSL team will be honored for its national title, although women's national teams have been honored for their victories, as was done with the USWNT after the World Cup.
In fact, the last time such a thing occurred was back in 2010, when Sky Blue FC-the same franchise as Gotham, just under a different name-were invited by former President Barack Obama after their win of the Women's Professional Soccer Championship. WPS was one of the predecessors of the NWSL but had only a very short life, from 2009 to 2011. Now, 14 years later, the same club is receiving this honor for the second time at such an important moment in the growth of women's soccer in the country.
The ceremony will not be only to celebrate the 2023 title but more importantly the growth of NWSL, carving an increasingly larger space inside US sports. Besides on-field success, women's soccer in the States is gathering new investment, sponsors, and most importantly, a fanbase that respects quality and competitiveness among players.
Importance of This Honor
It has always been a tradition in the United States that champions of the major men's sports leagues, such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL, would be invited to the White House in honor of their victories. So, to see a women's team being accorded this kind of honor is a great step toward equality in sports and shows how far women's soccer has come along in terms of popularity and relevance in the national sports scene.
There's little doubt that Gotham FC views this as a representation of what professional women's soccer can achieve in the United States. "Today represents an important moment of recognition for women's soccer," said the club in a release last week. And without question, other NWSL teams will be paying close attention, fighting not just for hardware but also for wider recognition on a national level.