"We Did It, Joe": Gotham FC becomes first-ever NWSL team to visit the White House
In the nation's capital on September 23, Gotham FC once again made history.
If you know me, then you know two things to be true: I’m passionate about covering Gotham FC and I love to say “we did it, Joe” to mark any milestone, major or minor.
Well, this Monday, these two favorite things majorly collided as Gotham became the first-ever National Women’s Soccer League team to visit the White House to celebrate a championship.
The visiting players included the vast majority of the 2023 team, such as former captain Ali Krieger, 2023 NWSL Championship MVP Midge Purce, and 2023 Coach of the Year Juan Carlos Amorós.
The squad also included those who have since left the team such as Sabrina Flores (retired/Gotham FC NTRP), Kristen Edmonds (Tampa Bay Sun, USL Super League), Taylor Smith (Brooklyn FC, USL Super League), and Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals, NWSL).
Edmonds relished the opportunity to reunite with her former teammates and commemorate this occasion, and after helping Gotham reach the historic worst-to-first turnaround, she was once again thrilled to be part of history.
“Being recognized for being the best at something is an unbelievable achievement in and of itself, and having the opportunity to be honored for that achievement at the White House — and being the first NWSL to do so — is a once in a lifetime moment, Edmonds exclusively told Jenna’s Sources. “There can only be on first, and I’m happy to have shared that with my teammates as 2023 NWSL champions.”
This moment is certainly a significant milestone in the growth of women’s club soccer. The White House visit is a long-cherished tradition in United States sports. The U.S. Women’s National Team made a White House visit in 2015 under President Obama.
“To finally have the experience of visiting the White House after an NWSL championship was a ‘look momma I made it’ moment for me,” Zerboni told Jenna’s Sources. “Not only because it’s a lifetime event that most don’t get to experience, but also for women in sports to get an equal opportunity as others do in sports when they win a national championship at the professional level.”
During President Joe Biden’s remarks, he regaled the tale of Gotham’s fairytale run to the final, and spoke the phrase, almost like an incantation, that we all know to be true: everyone watches women’s sports. The room erupted in applause.
Following remarks from Krieger, the team bequeathed the President a Biden 46 jersey, which the team jokingly suggested he wear under his suit.
Amidst the pomp and circumstance, what was most apparent was the pure joy. The smiles on the faces of Gotham players and staff told the story: they had earned this. They had earned right to be here. They were honored to be the first, and they were certain that they wouldn’t be the last.
Gotham, who clinched a 2024 playoff spot on Sunday, will now turn their sights on a repeat championship. The squad will travel to Kansas City to take on the Current on Saturday, September 28th at 1PM. The game will air on CBS and Paramount +.
