Gotham FC signs college standout Jordynn Dudley through 2028 | OneFootball

On Monday, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced the signing of Florida State University forward Jordynn Dudley. The 21-year-old has decided to forgo her final year of college eligibility to sign with the NJ/NY side. She joins the team off the back of a stellar three-year collegiate career, amassing 30 goals and 29 assists in 53 games.

As well as putting up incredible goal output numbers, she is a two-time National Champion, winning in 2023 and 2025, a three-time All-ACC First Team selection, and a MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist in 2025. In addition to her stellar career, she also has a history with the US Youth National Teams. She made five appearances and scored two goals at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2024. Last January, she also received her first USWNT call-up as a part of the futures camp.

How Jordynn Dudley fits in the present and the future of Gotham FC

Dudley not only fits what Gotham FC is looking to build in the future, but she can help in the here and now as well. One of the biggest consistent issues during Juan Carlos Amorós' tenure has been large dry spells with scoring goals. While Esther González has finished in the top five in the Golden Boot race in each of the last two seasons, she is a very streaky scorer with her goals more often scored in short three-to-four-game bursts rather than consistently over the course of a season.

The forward is expected to be an immediate contributor, for she was good enough to have gone pro last year or even the year before. She is 5'11", which makes her the tallest non-goalkeeper on this Gotham roster. She is more than just an aerial threat, though. She is very good with the ball at her feet, a great finisher, and someone who can create her own shot, which is something the Bats have needed. She is also a good creator who can get her teammates involved, which is evidenced by her nearly 50/50 split of goals and assists during her college career.

While Dudley will most likely be given time to embed into the squad, she will be expected to make major contributions this year. Gotham is set to play more games than any other NWSL team this season, with a minimum of 39 games currently scheduled. This includes at least 10 midweek games across all competitions, which is where Dudley would be expected to see the bulk of her starts and minutes, especially in the first half of the season.

In addition to her expected contributions in the short term, she is also expected to be a key building block for this team's future. Dudley is one of just six players signed through 2028, all of whom are under the age of 25. It is normal to think that the forward is expected to be the long-term successor to González, who turned 33 in December. This is not to say that the front office, coaching staff, or even the fans are ready to move on from the Spaniard, but it's normal to start looking for potential long-term replacements for a player who is entering her mid-thirties.

González is signed through 2027, so she's most likely not going anywhere in the near future. And that is probably a good thing, as she is a consummate pro who Dudley could learn a lot from when it comes to being a professional and playing in the NWSL despite the fact that they are very different types of forwards.

With this being a much quieter offseason than past years, fans have not had much to get too excited about. And while there have been some important new additions like Savannah McCaskill, who will provide much-needed depth in midfield, or Andrea Kitahata, who can be a great under-the-radar pickup, Dudley is someone who can put fans in seats at Sports Illustrated Stadium and then have them on the edge of their seats with her play on the field.