Gotham FC forward Midge Purce returns to the field a year after ACL injury
After three frustrating results to open the season, NJ/NY Gotham FC found its breakthrough Sunday, edging out the North Carolina Courage 3-1 at Sports Illustrated Arena. Forward Esther González scored twice just before halftime, and rookie Lilly Reale added a third in the second half — her first professional goal.
However, the night's loudest ovation was for forward Midge Purce, making her long-awaited return after 13 months on the sidelines. The 29-year-old stepped back onto the field in the 73rd minute to a cheer that outshined all three goals, a testament to her impact and the anticipation surrounding her comeback.
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'I'm looking forward to winning a championship again,' Purce told after the game. 'I want to be a really important piece of that and contribute to that team. I want to score goals. I'm excited to be a part of a team that I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, that can and will win this championship.'
The 2023 NWSL championship MVP tore her ACL in a match against the Portland Thorns in March 2024, sidelining her for the rest of the season and preventing her from competing in the Paris Olympics with the U.S. women's national team. After entering free agency at the end of her previous deal, Purce re-signed with Gotham on a one-year contract in February.
Her return was met by celebration — not just from Gotham fans but her teammates as well.
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'She was fantastic today. I'm so happy to see her back,' González told . 'When I first joined the team in 2023, I saw her play and thought, 'Wow, what a talent.' We won a championship together, it was amazing. Glad she's taken the time she needed to recover. Today, she reminded everyone what she's capable of.'
In addition to Purce, with four forwards and versatile threats like Bruninha and Jéssica Silva buzzing around the pitch, Gotham's strength was on full display. But the show of depth also raises a key question: How will coach Juan Carlos Amorós shape his starting XI? With three straight road tests looming — Angel City, Portland and the Washington Spirit — Gotham will have ample opportunity to experiment and fine-tune its approach for the grind of the regular season.
Speaking to after the match, Amorós emphasized the importance of depth and rotation as the club aims to compete on multiple fronts.
'The better you are and the more consistent you are at the top, the more games you play, and the more chances you have to be in different competitions,' he said.
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He added that the team is built with versatility in mind, especially up top, knowing not every player can log full minutes every week given the demanding schedule and travel. 'The most important thing,' he said, 'is the team.'
Amorós also highlighted the growing chemistry within Gotham's star-studded attack, calling Geyse, who also made her debut against North Carolina, 'a key part of our offense.'
'Little by little, we're building the style we want to play with,' Amorós said. 'In the end, it all depends on them. We're not there yet, but we're on our way.'
With the win, Gotham FC (1-1-2, 5 points) is tied for fifth place with the Thorns in the NWSL standings (Gotham has the better goal differential). The Bats will return to Sports Illustrated in May before traveling to Monterrey for a Concacaf Women's Champions Cup semifinal game against Club América on May 21.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
US Women's national team, Gotham FC, NWSL
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