Gotham FC player Michelle Betos retires from the beautiful game | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC has seen many changes with their goalkeepers over the last few seasons. This preseason saw Cassie Miller and Abby Smith traded away while the Bats brought in Shelby Hogan and rookie Ryan Campbell.

As such, the only goalkeeper who was still questionable for 2025 was Michelle Betos, who entered the offseason as a free agent. The long-time veteran who spent part of her career as a backup was expected to go elsewhere or retire. So, on Wednesday, Gotham and NWSL fans finally received an answer about the keeper's future.

Gotham FC's Michelle Betos is retiring

The club and Betos announced that she is retiring from professional soccer. Therefore, she finished her 15-year career with Gotham FC, first signing with the team in 2022. Utilized as a backup, she played over 1,600 NWSL minutes with the NJ/NY side during her three years.

Truly, the value of having Betos on the team was due to her veteran presence and knowledge of the beautiful game. She spent most of her years in the United States, playing for other teams like Seattle Reign FC and Portland Thorns FC. She also spent time abroad playing for clubs like Sydney FC in Australia and Vålerenga Fotball Damer in Norway. Her best seasons came during her time with Portland and Racing Louisville FC.

The fact Betos has been with numerous teams means she has gained valuable experience from different coaches from around the world. She might not have played all the time, but the experience she gained from each club helped her throughout the years. After all, there is a reason she was a captain for Gotham in 2024. Her leadership and knowledge were valuable to her teammates each season.

It was great that the New York native could complete her career with the NJ/NY team. Betos joined the Bats during one of their most trying seasons in 2022, won the NWSL Championship in 2023, and was a part of the record-breaking year in 2024.

The team's biggest cheerleader reflected on her career to gothamfc.com. "When I left college and began chasing this childhood dream, the one thing I knew would be required, and I knew I could control, is that I was going to give everything I had to this,” Betos told the website. “Walking away 15 years later, I can honestly say I did that and so much more.”

The Gotham FC goalkeeper will be missed, but the fact she can look back on her career with pride means she was successful in playing the beautiful game.