Oh, what to do with the rest of Gotham FC's 2027 free agents | OneFootball

The 2027 NWSL free agency is about to start. Players will be able to start planning their futures while still playing for their current teams. It is a unique aspect of the league that highlights the players' rights to control their own future. And for NJ/NY Gotham FC, it is no different.

As of today, nine players have contracts that will expire at the end of the 2026 NWSL season. This is very different from last year, for the club extended multiple players before free agency began. Plus, there were not as many as there were compared to this season. And while there are nine who could leave after the 2026 campaign, one can easily imagine that the NJ/NY side will extend a few more players this summer.

So, who are the Gotham FC free agents? Ann-Katrin Berger, Jess Carter, Mandy Freeman, Khyah Harper, Shelby Hogan, Andrea Kitahata, Rose Lavelle, Midge Purce, and Talia Sommer all have contracts ending at the end of 2026. Of the nine, what should the Bats do with the players? Who should they extend? Who should they say goodbye to?

Gotham FC's free agents for the 2027 season

Ann-Katrin Berger- Goalkeeper

When Berger first signed with Gotham FC, there was that question of why she was signed. However, the goalkeeper quickly proved why she was signed, becoming one of the best, if not the best, NWSL keepers. At 35, she continues to play at a high level. So, it would not hurt to sign her for another year, or even two. She puts her blood, sweat, and tears into every match that she plays. So, please do not let her become a free agent.

Jess Carter- Defender

Carter is another player that Gotham should bring back. The defender has done well in the backline and has become a critical part of the starting lineup. Moreover, it is likely that she and Berger might be a package deal, for the two players are engaged. Nevertheless, the talent is a reason not to let them become free agents, and ideally extend them this summer.

Mandy Freeman- Defender

This one is easy. Hopefully, Freeman will remain injury-free for the rest of the season, for she has just returned during the NWSL Challenge Cup. As the longest-tenured player on the roster, she has been a vital piece of the squad. Gotham would be crazy not to bring her back for another year, and to be honest, they should maybe sign her to a two-year or three-year deal. Freeman is Gotham, and Gotham is her.

Khyah Harper- Forward

There is still the belief that Harper has the potential to be a solid NWSL player. And while she has shown glimpses of her potential since joining in 2025, it might be time to say goodbye and let her go elsewhere for more playing time. In other words, she should not come back for her own sake, and instead seek those minutes elsewhere.

Shelby Hogan- Goalkeeper

Listen, the club does not need four goalkeepers on the roster. Hogan is a great keeper, and unless Berger wants to go somewhere else, then she should head elsewhere. In an economic sense, Gotham could also put more money in Berger or others by letting Hogan walk, for Ryan Campbell and Teagan Wy are younger, and would likely do not have high salaries. Plus, Campbell might be the goalkeeper of the future. Unless one of the younger ones wants a trade, Hogan should enter free agency.

Andrea Kitahata- Forward

Kitahata is kind of a toss-up. The rookie has played about 133 regular-season minutes, and is one of the players with a lot of potential. Truthfully, if the club did not want to bring her back, then it would not be the worst thing to do. At the same time, re-signing her could be a smart move, for she could blossom in her second professional season. And another contract for a year could be the smart move.

Rose Lavelle- Midfielder

The answer is yes. Bring back Lavelle. Do not let her walk. Yes, she might want to eventually go home to Ohio once the Columbus NWSL team starts in 2028. That is understandable, even though it would be tough to say goodbye. But for 2027, bring her back. Gotham FC must do everything that they can to ensure she stays with the team. And from a logistics standpoint, Lavelle returning for another year would make sense. The Bats give her stability, and 2027 is a World Cup year. So, stay in New Jersey, extend the contract now, and talk about 2028 next year.

Midge Purce- Forward

Gotham fans already know that Midge Purce will wait until the offseason to make her decision. She has done so for the last two years. And usually, many would want the star to return to the Bats. But since her ACL tear, while she has played well, she has not been as influential in the attack. She has zero goals and assists in the NWSL this season and has scored only once in all competitions. Of course, Purce has played out of position most of the year, but looking back at the last few seasons, she has not been the player she should be. So, for the first time since she joined the club, it is okay if she leaves. But it is also okay if she stays.

Talia Sommer- Midfielder

Of all the free agents, Sommer is the least impressive. She has not shown anything that proves she should remain with the club beyond this season. That is not to say she would not be successful elsewhere, but clearly, it is not working with Gotham FC. Instead, the side should take a chance on a new rookie midfielder in 2027.