Latest news with #Purce
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gotham earns spot in CONCACF W Champions Cup final with 3-1 win over Club América
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Geyse and Midge Purce scored and Gotham FC defeated Club América 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance to the finals of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Gotham will face the winner of the Wednesday's late match at Estadio Universitario between the Portland Thorns and UANL Tigres for the title in the inaugural tournament for continental club teams. Brazilian international Geyse scored off a corner kick from Sarah Schupansky to give Gotham the 1-0 lead as the rain fell in the 21st minute. It was her second goal of the year for the National Women's Soccer League squad. Jana Gutiérrez took down Purce in the box to give Gotham a penalty kick. Purce coolly converted to double the lead. Moments later, Gutiérrez was caught in a bad spot for a rebound off the post that bounced off her and into the net for an own goal that made it 3-0. Las Águilas, who play in Mexico's Liga MX Femenil, struck in the 38th with a goal from Spanish international Irene Guerrero. The W Champions Cup is the annual women's club championship for the region and will serve as the qualification event for the FIFA Women's Champions Cup, which launches next year. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
USWNT Forward Midge Purce Razzle-Dazzles While Making Her Broadway Debut in 'Chicago': 'So So Special'
NWSL forward Midge Purce delivered the opening monologue in on Broadway on Thursday, May 1 She called the experience "so so special" after the show Purce appeared in the show to promote Gotham FC's upcoming Broadway Night on May 16 Margaret "Midge" Purce can do it all! The USWNT and New York Gotham FC forward, 29, proved she's a star on the pitch and on the stage when she made her Broadway debut in Chicago on Thursday, April 1 in New York City. Purce, who has been with Gotham since 2021 after stints with the Boston Breakers and Portland Thorns, delivered the show's opening monologue, starring in the production alongside model Ashley Graham, who plays the lead role of Roxie Hart. "It's an incredible honor to step onto the Broadway stage in Chicago," Purce said in a press release ahead of her debut. She continued, "I've always poured my heart into everything I do, and this is no different. Performing in a show with such legacy and power is something I take seriously — and I couldn't be more excited to embrace this challenge and celebrate the magic of live performance." Related: Every Celebrity Who's Been in Chicago on Broadway After the show, Purce shared photos from the performance on Instagram with the caption, "To everyone who said I was dramatic, you were right 😂 #broadway." She added, "Thank you to everyone who made this so so special 🙏🫶." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Including Purce in the show was an idea from Chicago's marketing team, according to The Athletic, in an effort to introduce new audiences to Broadway and promote Gotham FC's upcoming Broadway Night game on May 16. 'Women's sports and folks who buy tickets for the theater are very similar,' Whitney Britt told The Athletic. Britt, the founder of Two Dog Circus agency, which works on promotion for Chicago, added, 'They are both live entertainment audiences that are willing to spend a decent amount on a ticket and want to come out and have a good time.' Purce told The Athletic that she's become a Broadway fan since her boyfriend started taking her to shows. 'My boyfriend takes me to shows on my birthdays,' she said, adding, 'I loved Wicked. And I regret not watching Hamilton with the original cast.' Related: Elizabeth Banks Turned Down an Offer to Invest in Angel City FC — Now She's Funding a New Boston Team (Exclusive) Now that she's experienced Chicago from the stage, Purce told the outlet she'd want to play Velma [Kelly] if she went on to star in the show. She said she loves how "spunky" the character is and "a bit more complex than other people realize." The role of Roxie, however, is "not my vibe," said Purce. In her NWSL career, Purce has excelled. She became the second player in league history to assist on two goals in a championship game in 2023 when she helped lead her team to a title over the OL Reign. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Backstage with Midge Purce as the Gotham and USWNT forward makes her Broadway debut in ‘Chicago'
Midge Purce steps out of a black Cadillac SUV that brought her to the 49th Street entrance of the Ambassador Theater just off the bustling drag of New York City's Times Square. The professional soccer player slips through the backstage gate with the same ease she walks through the tunnel at Sports Illustrated Arena before a NJ/NY Gotham FC home game, only this time, instead of stadium chants, she is greeted with the jazzy swell of the orchestra warming up. Decked out in black joggers, a green t-shirt and a black Nike bomber jacket, she walks through the stage door like she owns the place. She breezes down the corridor lined with camel colored staff lockers, past the security guard and into the tucked-away wardrobe room. In a few hours, she'll take center stage, this time literally, to deliver the opening lines of the musical 'Chicago'. Advertisement Now, in the quiet moments before show time, there's no blasting pregame playlist, no cleats clacking through the cement corridors, just the distant sound of showtunes floating around the tiny staircase of the theater, a reminder that tonight's pitch comes only from the instruments, with spotlights and not corner flags. She isn't there to dodge defenders and score goals as she has weekly for the past eight years, but somehow she looks just as ready. 'I would not mind taking singing lessons throughout the season,' she tells , stepping through the narrow stage door at the end of a long alley. Her arena tonight is just down the worn corridors of a theater where hundreds of people have worked year-round since 1996 to keep Broadway's longest-running American musical alive. 'I'd take lessons in-season so I can be on stage in the off-season,' she adds with a grin. The 29-year-old U.S. women's national team forward jumped at the chance to make a cameo in 'Chicago' alongside a star-studded cast that includes model Ashley Graham, Sophie Carmen Jones, Rema Webb and Max von Essen. The offer came via the show's marketing team, which sees crossover appeal as key to Broadway's evolving promotional playbook. Advertisement 'Women's sports and folks who buy tickets for the theater are very similar,' Whitney Britt, the founder of Two Dog Circus agency that works with 'Chicago', told . 'They are both live entertainment audiences that are willing to spend a decent amount on a ticket and want to come out and have a good time.' The theater sold multiple tickets to Gotham fans for Thursday night's show, using a special discount for Purce's performance. Though she admits she wasn't quite theater material as a kid, despite her dad insisting she was always performing and singing, Purce has long been a Broadway fan. 'My boyfriend takes me to shows on my birthdays,' she says. 'I loved 'Wicked'. And I regret not watching Hamilton with the original cast.' True to her form, she approaches her Broadway debut with a mix of professionalism and personality — the same attributes that helped her lead Gotham to the 2023 NWSL championship title and the solo honor of MVP. She even asked 'Chicago's' production for a bigger role to flex her acting muscles. The crew did not push back. Not only will she kick off the show, but she's also landed a second cameo act in Act II. Advertisement After some quick backstage introductions, Purce takes the stage with stage manager Evan Ensign to rehearse her lines. Her only previous prep had been over one Zoom session. But composed as ever, the same way she has jumped into Gotham games this season as she works her way back from injury, she follows Ensign's cues with the same focus she gives her Gotham coach, Juan Carlos Amorós, before a big match. But Thursday night, she isn't going to sub in; she has a starting role to deliver the opening monologue. Purce is no stranger to the spotlight. The Harvard alumnus created and starred in the docuseries 'The Offseason' alongside friends Lo'eau Labonta, Taylor Smith and Paige Nielsen, bringing a dose of her natural charisma to the camera. She is also a regular guest in the podcasting world, and co-hosted a World Cup recap show with Katie Nolan called The 91st in 2023 after missing out on the roster. She also serves as the executive director of the Black Women's Players Collective and, in 2023, was named to the Forbes '30 Under 30' list. 'Honestly, being so intimately inside of another industry that's like at the top, at its highest level, you don't get to see the behind the scenes,' Purce tells while getting the final touches of her make-up done. 'It's really cool to see people pursue their passions in ways that I pursue my own, but in a completely different industry.' Advertisement With half an hour to curtain, Purce slips into 1920s vaudeville. Her outfit: fishnet tights, a black Skims tube top, a sheer black button down and sequinned boy shorts. Her smoky eye was applied in the backseat of the car on the way to the theater. She quickly pulls out her phone to scroll social media and posts a quick video of her costume to her 113,000 Instagram followers. A few last adjustments from the wardrobe coordinator, and she is stage-ready, poised, and showing no signs of nerves. ',' she speaks into the darkened theater, loud enough for the fifth row to hear without a mic — there is not much the sound guy can do if she does not push for that. She delivers her opening speech as naturally as she delivered the ball to her teammate Geyse for the fourth goal in a dominating win over Angel City on April 19. 'Chicago' is a musical about women, but it's also a biting commentary on how the media sensationalizes crime and how fame can whitewash even the most heinous acts. It's a story of ambition, manipulation, and the dark side of the American Dream. For Purce, it's another challenge, one she was ready to meet with her trademark grace and confidence. Advertisement 'I am a game-time player for sure,' she saysonce safely backstage again when asked about nerves. 'I definitely show up for big games.' She returns for Act II unfazed, coming back on the stage as a reporter covering Roxie Hart's sensational trial. Among the roughly 1,100 people filling the 104-year-old theater were Gotham co-owner Emily Tisch Sussman, a handful of teammates and fans all on their feet cheering Purce's performance at the end of the show. She acted the part. The next day, she'll be back to lift weights so her 5ft 5ins (165cm) frame can do the things she does on the pitch against — who else — the Chicago Stars on Sunday. But before she leaves this stage for the next, Purce reflects on what character she'd want to play if she could do it again. Advertisement 'I'd play Velma (Kelly),' she answered. 'I love how spunky her character is. But in this dark 'Chicago' world, her story is really fun, and it's a bit more complex than other people realize. Roxie is not my vibe.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, Gotham FC, Soccer, NWSL, Sports Business, Culture 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Backstage with Midge Purce as the Gotham and USWNT forward makes her Broadway debut in ‘Chicago'
Midge Purce steps out of a black Cadillac SUV that brought her to the 49th Street entrance of the Ambassador Theater just off the bustling drag of New York City's Times Square. The professional soccer player slips through the backstage gate with the same ease she walks through the tunnel at Sports Illustrated Arena before a NJ/NY Gotham FC home game, only this time, instead of stadium chants, she is greeted with the jazzy swell of the orchestra warming up. Advertisement Decked out in black joggers, a green t-shirt and a black Nike bomber jacket, she walks through the stage door like she owns the place. She breezes down the corridor lined with camel colored staff lockers, past the security guard and into the tucked-away wardrobe room. In a few hours, she'll take center stage, this time literally, to deliver the opening lines of the musical 'Chicago'. Now, in the quiet moments before show time, there's no blasting pregame playlist, no cleats clacking through the cement corridors, just the distant sound of showtunes floating around the tiny staircase of the theater, a reminder that tonight's pitch comes only from the instruments, with spotlights and not corner flags. She isn't there to dodge defenders and score goals as she has weekly for the past eight years, but somehow she looks just as ready. 'I would not mind taking singing lessons throughout the season,' she tells The Athletic, stepping through the narrow stage door at the end of a long alley. Her arena tonight is just down the worn corridors of a theater where hundreds of people have worked year-round since 1996 to keep Broadway's longest-running American musical alive. 'I'd take lessons in-season so I can be on stage in the off-season,' she adds with a grin. The 29-year-old U.S. women's national team forward jumped at the chance to make a cameo in 'Chicago' alongside a star-studded cast that includes model Ashley Graham, Sophie Carmen Jones, Rema Webb and Max von Essen. The offer came via the show's marketing team, which sees crossover appeal as key to Broadway's evolving promotional playbook. 'Women's sports and folks who buy tickets for the theater are very similar,' Whitney Britt, the founder of Two Dog Circus agency that works with 'Chicago', told The Athletic. 'They are both live entertainment audiences that are willing to spend a decent amount on a ticket and want to come out and have a good time.' Advertisement The theater sold multiple tickets to Gotham fans for Thursday night's show, using a special discount for Purce's performance. Though she admits she wasn't quite theater material as a kid, despite her dad insisting she was always performing and singing, Purce has long been a Broadway fan. 'My boyfriend takes me to shows on my birthdays,' she says. 'I loved 'Wicked'. And I regret not watching Hamilton with the original cast.' True to her form, she approaches her Broadway debut with a mix of professionalism and personality — the same attributes that helped her lead Gotham to the 2023 NWSL championship title and the solo honor of MVP. She even asked 'Chicago's' production for a bigger role to flex her acting muscles. The crew did not push back. Not only will she kick off the show, but she's also landed a second cameo act in Act II. After some quick backstage introductions, Purce takes the stage with stage manager Evan Ensign to rehearse her lines. Her only previous prep had been over one Zoom session. But composed as ever, the same way she has jumped into Gotham games this season as she works her way back from injury, she follows Ensign's cues with the same focus she gives her Gotham coach, Juan Carlos Amorós, before a big match. But Thursday night, she isn't going to sub in; she has a starting role to deliver the opening monologue. Purce is no stranger to the spotlight. The Harvard alumnus created and starred in the docuseries 'The Offseason' alongside friends Lo'eau Labonta, Taylor Smith and Paige Nielsen, bringing a dose of her natural charisma to the camera. She is also a regular guest in the podcasting world, and co-hosted a World Cup recap show with Katie Nolan called The 91st in 2023 after missing out on the roster. She also serves as the executive director of the Black Women's Players Collective and, in 2023, was named to the Forbes '30 Under 30' list. Advertisement 'Honestly, being so intimately inside of another industry that's like at the top, at its highest level, you don't get to see the behind the scenes,' Purce tells The Athletic while getting the final touches of her make-up done. 'It's really cool to see people pursue their passions in ways that I pursue my own, but in a completely different industry.' With half an hour to curtain, Purce slips into 1920s vaudeville. Her outfit: fishnet tights, a black Skims tube top, a sheer black button down and sequinned boy shorts. Her smoky eye was applied in the backseat of the car on the way to the theater. She quickly pulls out her phone to scroll social media and posts a quick video of her costume to her 113,000 Instagram followers. A few last adjustments from the wardrobe coordinator, and she is stage-ready, poised, and showing no signs of nerves. 'Welcome ladies and gentlemen,' she speaks into the darkened theater, loud enough for the fifth row to hear without a mic — there is not much the sound guy can do if she does not push for that. 'You are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery. All those things we hold near and dear to our hearts. Thank you.' She delivers her opening speech as naturally as she delivered the ball to her teammate Geyse for the fourth goal in a dominating win over Angel City on April 19. 'Chicago' is a musical about women, but it's also a biting commentary on how the media sensationalizes crime and how fame can whitewash even the most heinous acts. It's a story of ambition, manipulation, and the dark side of the American Dream. For Purce, it's another challenge, one she was ready to meet with her trademark grace and confidence. 'I am a game-time player for sure,' she says once safely backstage again when asked about nerves. 'I definitely show up for big games.' She returns for Act II unfazed, coming back on the stage as a reporter covering Roxie Hart's sensational trial. Advertisement Among the roughly 1,100 people filling the 104-year-old theater were Gotham co-owner Emily Tisch Sussman, a handful of teammates and fans all on their feet cheering Purce's performance at the end of the show. She acted the part. The next day, she'll be back to lift weights so her 5ft 5ins (165cm) frame can do the things she does on the pitch against — who else — the Chicago Stars on Sunday. But before she leaves this stage for the next, Purce reflects on what character she'd want to play if she could do it again. 'I'd play Velma (Kelly),' she answered. 'I love how spunky her character is. But in this dark 'Chicago' world, her story is really fun, and it's a bit more complex than other people realize. Roxie is not my vibe.' (Photos: Asli Pelit / The Athletic)
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 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 2025 The Athletic Media Company
