History of Gotham FC in Timeline

Gotham FC is a professional women's soccer team in the NWSL, representing the New York metropolitan area. Founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue, it underwent name changes, becoming Sky Blue FC and later NJ/NY Gotham FC before settling on Gotham FC. A founding member of the NWSL in 2013, the team also participated in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). Notably, they clinched the NWSL Championship in 2023, marking a significant achievement in their history.

2000: WUSA Founding

In 2000, the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first attempt at a fully professional women's league, was founded in response to the growth of women's soccer in the United States during the 1990s.

2003: WUSA Folding

In 2003, after only three seasons, the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) folded.

December 2006: Agreement Reached to Establish WPS

In December 2006, an agreement was reached to establish a new professional women's league called Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). The league would consist of teams from Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and an undetermined sixth city in the Western United States.

2006: Team Founding

In 2006, Gotham FC was founded as Jersey Sky Blue. This marked the beginning of the team's journey in professional women's soccer.

September 2007: Selection for WPS and Rebrand

In September 2007, the club was selected to fulfill the New York/New Jersey slot in Women's Professional Soccer and rebranded as Sky Blue FC.

March 5, 2008: Ian Sawyers Named Head Coach and General Manager

On March 5, 2008, Sky Blue FC named Ian Sawyers as its first head coach and general manager.

September 9, 2008: Sky Blue FC Unveiling

On September 9, 2008, the New York/New Jersey outfit was officially unveiled under the name Sky Blue FC.

September 26, 2008: Collette McCallum Named Post-Draft Discovery Player

On September 26, 2008, Sky Blue FC named Australia national team midfielder Collette McCallum as a post-draft discovery player and were awarded her WPS playing rights.

October 2, 2008: Anita Asante Named Post-Draft Discovery Player

On October 2, 2008, Sky Blue FC named England national team defender Anita Asante as a post-draft discovery player and were awarded her WPS playing rights.

2008: Rebrand to Sky Blue FC

In 2008, Jersey Sky Blue rebranded as Sky Blue FC. This marked a new identity for the team as it continued to develop in the professional soccer landscape.

2008: 2008 WPS General Draft

In 2008, Sky Blue FC drafted Cori Alexander, Keeley Dowling, Kacey White, and Jenny Hammond. Additionally, Kelly Lindsey was chosen as assistant coach on December 3.

2008: WPS Launch Delayed

The launch of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), originally planned for 2008, was subsequently pushed back to 2009.

April 5, 2009: Inaugural Season Kickoff

On April 5, 2009, Sky Blue FC kicked off its inaugural season, losing 2–0 to Los Angeles Sol at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey.

May 23, 2009: Ian Sawyers Suspended

On May 23, 2009, head coach and general manager Ian Sawyers was suspended indefinitely by Sky Blue FC for disagreements.

May 28, 2009: Ian Sawyers Relieved of Duties

On May 28, 2009, Ian Sawyers was officially relieved of his duties as head coach and general manager of Sky Blue FC.

June 19, 2009: Kelly Lindsey Appointed Head Coach

On June 19, 2009, Kelly Lindsey was permanently installed as the head coach of Sky Blue FC by then General Manager Gerry Marrone, after initially stepping in as interim.

July 30, 2009: Kelly Lindsey Resigns

On July 30, 2009, Kelly Lindsey abruptly resigned from her position as head coach of Sky Blue FC.

August 22, 2009: Sky Blue FC Wins Championship

On August 22, 2009, Sky Blue FC won the WPS Championship, defeating Los Angeles Sol 1-0 with a goal from Heather O'Reilly.

September 29, 2009: Pauliina Miettinen Appointed Head Coach

On September 29, 2009, Sky Blue FC announced that former Finnish National Team player Pauliina Miettinen would be head coach of the team for the 2010 season after completing her coaching duties with PK-35 Vantaa.

2009: Plays in WPS

From 2009 to 2011, Sky Blue FC competed in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), marking its participation in another professional league before the establishment of the NWSL.

2009: 2009 WPS Draft

In 2009, Sky Blue FC drafted Yael Averbuch, Meghan Schnur, Karen Bardsley, Christie Shaner, Julianne Sitch, Jen Buczkowski, Zhang Ouying, Mary Therese McDonnell, Mele French, and Fanta Cooper.

2009: Inaugural WPS Season

In 2009, the inaugural season of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) took place with Boston and the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area hosting clubs.

April 11, 2010: Title Defense Begins

On April 11, 2010, Sky Blue FC started its title defense, hosting the Chicago Red Stars at Yurcak Field and winning 1–0 with a goal by Tasha Kai.

2010: Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence Join WPS

In 2010, the Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence joined the league, leading Sky Blue FC to lose players from their championship-winning side.

2010: Pauliina Miettinen to coach in 2010

2010: Feeder Team Folding

Thomas Hofstetter, president of Sky Blue FC, also served as chairman of the feeder team until their folding in 2010.

April 10, 2011: Regular Season Kickoff

On April 10, 2011, Sky Blue FC kicked off the WPS regular season at Yurcak Field, drawing 2–2 with the Philadelphia Independence.

May 21, 2011: Unbeaten Streak Begins

On May 21, 2011, Sky Blue FC kicked off a five-match unbeaten streak, starting with a 3–0 win over the Atlanta Beat.

2011: Plays in WPS

From 2009 to 2011, Sky Blue FC competed in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), marking its participation in another professional league before the establishment of the NWSL.

2011: Jim Gabarra as Head Coach

The 2011 season marked the first with Jim Gabarra as head coach. Sky Blue FC played to the finals of the Alanya International Women's Tournament of Champions in Turkey during the preseason, losing to LdB FC Malmö 1–0.

November 2012: Announcement of NWSL Participation

In November 2012, it was announced that Sky Blue FC would be one of eight teams in a new women's professional soccer league, the National Women's Soccer League, sponsored by the United States Soccer Federation, the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation.

2012: Partnership with New Jersey Wildcats

After the WPS announced the suspension of the 2012 season, Sky Blue FC announced a partnership with the New Jersey Wildcats of the W-League.

June 1, 2013: Sky Blue Achieves a 5-1 Win over Boston Breakers

On June 1, 2013, Sky Blue extended their run of consecutive victories to five with a 5–1 win over the Boston Breakers at Yurcak Field. In so doing, Sky Blue became the first team to score five goals in a single match in the nascent National Women's Soccer League.

2013: Founding Member of NWSL

In 2013, Sky Blue FC became a founding member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), solidifying its place in the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

2013: NWSL Inaugural Season

2013: Thomas Hofstetter's role ends

Thomas Hofstetter, president of Sky Blue FC, also served as chairman of the feeder team until 2010. In 2013, he ended his role as president of Sky Blue FC.

2014: Most Successful Season since 2014

In 2017, Sky Blue had its most successful season since 2014. They finished in sixth place, but were in playoff contention until mid September.

2014: End of the 2014 Season

The 2014 season ended with a five-game win streak, though this proved insufficient to overcome earlier poor form and Sky Blue finished the season in 6th place, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

2015: Jim Gabarra Released from Contract

Following the 2015 season, head coach Jim Gabarra reached an agreement with Sky Blue to be released from his contract.

2015: 2015 Season

The 2015 season was marred by poor form. After winning their opening match of the season, Sky Blue went on a winless streak until July 11. Sky Blue ultimately finished the season in 8th place.

April 17, 2016: Sky Blue FC defeats Seattle Reign

On Sunday, April 17, 2016, Sky Blue FC opened its 2016 season at Seattle Reign in thrilling fashion, winning 2–1 and handing two-time defending NWSL Shield winner its first-ever home loss at Memorial Stadium.

2016: Christy Holly Named Head Coach

Following Jim Gabarra release from his contract in 2015, Gabarra's assistant, Christy Holly, was later named his successor for the 2016 season.

August 12, 2017: Sky Blue FC Featured in Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week Broadcast

On August 12, 2017, Sky Blue FC was featured in the nationally televised Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week broadcasts.

August 16, 2017: Christy Holly Steps Down

On August 16, 2017, head coach Christy Holly unexpectedly stepped down as coach of Sky Blue FC.

August 19, 2017: Sky Blue Defeats Seattle Reign, Sam Kerr Scores Four Goals

On August 19, 2017, Sky Blue overcame a 3–0 deficit to defeat the Seattle Reign 5–4. In that game, Sam Kerr became the first player in NWSL history to score four goals in one game.

November 15, 2017: Denise Reddy Appointed New Head Coach

On November 15, 2017, Denise Reddy was appointed as the new head coach for Sky Blue.

December 29, 2017: Sky Blue Trades Taylor Lytle and Kelley O'Hara

On December 29, 2017, Sky Blue traded Taylor Lytle and USWNT defender Kelley O'Hara to the Utah Royals.

2018: Phil Murphy as Majority Shareholder

As of 2018, Phil Murphy was a majority shareholder of Sky Blue FC.

2020: Name Change

In 2020, Sky Blue FC was known as Sky Blue FC, before rebranding again.

April 2021: Sky Blue Officially Changes Name to Gotham FC

In April 2021, Sky Blue officially changed its name to Gotham FC, "Gotham" being a nickname for New York City.

August 16, 2021: Carli Lloyd Announces Retirement

On August 16, 2021, Carli Lloyd announced her retirement from professional soccer, indicating the current NJ/NY Gotham season would be her last season.

September 2021: Nadia Nadim Accuses Management of Forgery

In September 2021, former Sky Blue player Nadia Nadim accused management of forging her signature on a contract extension so they could trade her to the Portland Thorns in early 2016.

2021: Rebrand to NJ/NY Gotham FC

In 2021, Sky Blue FC rebranded as NJ/NY Gotham FC. This marked a new identity for the team.

April 27, 2022: Carli Lloyd Joins Ownership Group

On April 27, 2022, Carli Lloyd joined Gotham FC's ownership group.

May 4, 2022: Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman Invest in Gotham FC

On May 4, 2022, NBA player Kevin Durant and investor Rich Kleiman announced their minority investment into Gotham FC via their investment company Thirty Five Ventures.

July 29, 2022: Sue Bird Joins Gotham FC Ownership

On July 29, 2022, WNBA player Sue Bird joined Gotham FC's ownership group as a minority owner, consultant, and advisor.

August 10, 2022: Eli Manning and Pete Guelli Join Ownership Group

On August 10, 2022, Gotham FC announced the addition of former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Giants chief commercial officer Pete Guelli to its ownership group as minority owners. The investments raised the club's valuation to an estimated $40 million.

August 11, 2022: Gotham FC Fires Head Coach Scott Parkinson

On August 11, 2022, Gotham FC fired head coach Scott Parkinson following a 4–8–0 start to the 2022 season and announced an immediate search for a new coach to be hired for the 2023 season.

November 11, 2023: Gotham FC Wins NWSL Championship

On November 11, 2023, Gotham FC won their first NWSL Championship, the team's first title since the 2009 WPS Championship, by a score of 1–2 over OL Reign with first half goals by Lynn Williams and Esther Gonzalez.