Gotham FC's winter international break recap: Wrapping up 2025 in style | OneFootball

Despite winning the 2025 NWSL Championship in the previous week, it was right back to work for nearly half of the NJ/NY Gotham FC squad as they were in action this time for their respective national teams. 10 players were called up by their respective youth and senior national teams, which saw NJ/NY players play on three different continents and in six countries.

A strong contingent of six players were called up to the USWNT youth and senior national teams, with Sarah Schupansky receiving her fourth call-up of 2025 to the U-23 National Team. Meanwhile, for the senior team, the usual contingent of NWSL Championship Game MVP Rose Lavelle, 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year Lilly Reale, NWSL Second Best XI member Emily Sonnett, and playoff hero Jaedyn Shaw received a call-up. In addition to these four, Jaelin Howell received her first USWNT call-up in over three years off the back of the best season of her career, both in terms of health and performance.

In addition to the Americans, the international contingent saw two from Brazil and one each from Spain and Germany. Bruninha and Gabi Portilho were called up for friendlies against Norway and Portugal. Meanwhile, Esther González was called up for Spain and Ann-Katrin Berger for Germany, as the two nations faced off in the UEFA Nations League A Championship Playoff.

It has been a whirlwind few days for these players, from playing in the Championship game to then flying back to New Jersey for the championship celebrations, and then immediately heading out to international duty.

Gotham FC and the international break

Rose Lavelle: USWNT

Fresh off scoring the game-winning goal and winning Championship Game MVP in the process, Lavelle picked up right where she left off and assisted on Olivia Moultrie's opening goal just two minutes into their 3-0 win against Italy in Orlando. The midfielder also delivered five key passes in 70 minutes in addition to her assist. She was an unused substitute in the second game against Italy.

Lilly Reale: USWNT

After starting the year on the U-23 team, Reale ended the year with six senior international caps. The rookie started and played the first 84 minutes in the team's 3-0 win over Italy before coming on and playing the final 15 minutes in the team's 2-0 win in their second friendly win over Italy.

Jaedyn Shaw: USWNT

Shaw, much like Lavelle, carried her NWSL form to the national team. After playing 20 minutes in the first friendly, Shaw scored, played the full 90 minutes, and earned player of the game honors in the second friendly. It was the Gotham player's fourth goal contribution in five games for club and country, her best run of form since scoring five goals in six games for the USWNT from the end of 2023 and the Gold Cup at the beginning of 2024.

Emily Sonnett: USWNT

Sonnett started and played the full 90 minutes in the first game, helping keep a clean sheet while completing 96% of her passes. She was then an unused substitute in the second match. She was the third most capped player called up to the USWNT roster in this window with 113 caps. She was only behind Lindsey Heaps with 170 and Lavelle with 116.

Jaelin Howell: USWNT

Howell received her first call-up to the senior national team in three years. This comes after both her healthiest and strongest season to date, setting career highs in games played and goals scored. After being an unused substitute in the first match, she came on in the 78th minute of the second match, seeing out the final 12 minutes. While the Gotham player surely would have wanted to see more time over these two friendlies, this was a great first step when it comes to getting back into the national team picture with a World Cup a little more than 18 months away.

Sarah Schupansky: USWNT U-23

Schupansky received her fourth call-up to the U-23 WNT this year, her first time being involved with the youth national teams at any level. She started in the team's 1-0 win over Slovakia's senior national team before coming on in the 64th minute of the team's 4-2 victory over the England U-23s.

Bruninha: Brazil

Bruninha started and played 66 minutes in Brazil's 3-1 friendly loss to Norway, before playing the final six minutes against Portugal in a 5-0 victory.

Gabi Portilho: Brazil

Portilho started and played the first 45 minutes against Norway before being an unused substitute in the team's second match against Portugal.

Esther González: Spain

González started both legs of the UEFA Nations League A finals, playing 86 minutes in the 0-0 first leg draw with Germany, then 80 minutes in the 3-0 second leg victory that saw Spain crowned Nations League Champions.

Ann-Katrin Berger: Germany