Meredith Speck joins Gotham FC for the rest of the 2026 season | OneFootball

After NJ/NY Gotham FC lost Emily Sonnett due to a ruptured patellar tendon and after Esther González left the club to return to Spain, it was easy to think that the club would have signed a defender or striker. But instead, another player was brought in for the rest of the season.

Gotham FC announced that they signed Meredith Speck. At this time, her contract runs through the end of 2026, and there is no option for another year. The veteran player joins a team that needs a few new players, but she is not the type of player that is needed. Hence, this is an interesting move by the NJ/NY side.

Meredith Speck is a Gotham FC player

Speck can play in multiple positions, including as an attacking midfielder and as a winger. But she cannot play as a center-back or a striker, and that is what Gotham really needs. Alas, the New York native from Rockville Center will be a solid depth option off the bench based on her experience and time in the NWSL. After all, she spent her entire NWSL career with the North Carolina Courage, including when the club was known as the Western New York Flash. She has also played for Västerås BK30 in Sweden.

Unquestionably, Speck will be utilized off the bench since she has not played since the end of the 2025 season. She also has been utilized more as a substitute over the last couple of seasons.

But again, Gotham needed someone else who could score goals or someone who could help stop them. Since Speck is more of an offensive player, one would have hoped she would have scored more goals in her career. Alas, she does not score often.

Notably, Speck will reunite with fellow long-time Courage player Denise O'Sullivan, who joined the Bats just a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, mixed in with the signing announcement was the update to Sonnett's status. Gotham confirmed that the defender has been placed on the season-ending injury list, which was expected since she will be out for the remainder of the season. It is unknown why it was not done right away, but perhaps the club had to register that she is on the SEI with the NWSL.

Nevertheless, Gotham FC needs another striker to back up Sam Kerr and another defender. Will the club bring in those players before the summer transfer window closes?