2024 Gotham FC player grades: Midfielders and forwards | OneFootball

Much like it was for the team from a defensive perspective, 2024 was a stand-out year offensively as well for NJ/NY Gotham FC. They finished with their second-best regular season goal total with 41, but scored a record 71 in all competitions. This was not only thanks to the new additions made in the offseason but also an improvement from quite a few of the returning players.

While Gotham FC has only recently become one of the NWSL's top-tier franchises, the side has always had great forwards and midfielders make their way through town. From Sam Kerr to Nadia Nadim, to Raquel Rodriguez, they have all made their mark with this team and there are plenty of players from this year's team that have done the same.

Let's take a look at the player grades for the Gotham FC forwards and midfielders.

Gotham FC player grades for the midfielders

Rose Lavelle

Grade: A

Rose Lavelle had the healthiest season of her career, playing 25 matches in all competitions. She was also very productive, finishing second in NWSL regular season goals scored amongst midfielders with seven, only behind Marta. From a rate stat perspective, she finished with 7.35 progressive passes per 90 and 0.45 non-penalty expected goals. That is good enough to finish in the 95th and 86th percentile respectively amongst all attacking midfielders in the world.

Nealy Martin

Grade: A

Two years after being an end-of-season waiver pickup, Nealy Martin has established herself as a mainstay in this Gotham FC midfield. She played the second most games in 2024 with 36 appearances in all competitions. She also averaged 2.16 interceptions per 90, 1.84 clearances per 90, and 1.79 aerial duels won per 90. That is good for 98th, 89th, and 94th percentile finishes respectively amongst all defensive midfielders in the world.

Delanie Sheehan

Grade: A+

Building on a breakout year in 2023, Delanie Sheehan reached another level in 2024. She made the most appearances in all competitions and the second-most minutes in NWSL play. The midfielder was clearly a key player for Gotham. She finished with 1.63 progressive carries per 90 and 1.24 successful take-one per 90 which placed her in the 89th and 92nd percentiles recpectively amongst all midfielders in the world. Unfortunately, Sheehan has since left in free agency and signed with the Houston Dash.

Taryn Torres

Grade: B-

After missing all of 2023 with an ACL injury, Taryn Torres made her first appearance in the regular season opener as a substitute against Portland Thorns FC. She made 19 appearances in all competitions and scored her first two goals for Gotham in the team's 13-0 win over Frazsiers Whip FC in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

McCall Zerboni

Grade: C+

After starting the year on the season-ending injury list from an ACL tear in 2023, McCall Zerboni made her return on June 8 against Angel City FC. She made 23 appearances in all competitions, providing key depth in a relatively thin group of midfielders. Zerboni is currently a free agent and her future with Gotham FC is unclear at the time of writing.

Gotham FC player grades for the forwards

Crystal Dunn

Grade: C

After much fanfare from her signing in free agency, 2024 was disappointing for Crystal Dunn. After being unable to solidify her spot in the starting lineup throughout the season, Dunn stepped away from the team in late September and missed the rest of the year after making 23 appearances in all competitions. She is under contract for 2025, but her future is up in the air.

Esther González

Grade: A

After struggling with injury and being able to find consistent goalscoring form, Esther González blossomed into the player fans thought had been signed after last summer's World Cup. She scored seven goals and two assists in the final eight games of the season which helped vault her up to fifth in the NWSL's top scorers race and into the NWSL Best XI second team.

Cece Kizer

Grade: B-

After a rough beginning to 2024 with Houston, Cece Kizer signed with Gotham at the beginning of September, making nine appearances with the team. She managed two goals and two assists in relatively limited minutes. With a full preseason under her belt and more time to integrate with the team, Kizer could play a big role in the Bats' success in 2025.

Yazmeen Ryan

Grade: A+

Enjoying a breakout year in 2024, Yazmeen Ryan was arguably Gotham FC's MVP this year. Her nine goals and ten assists in 35 appearances in all competitions meant she led the team in goal contributions. Her exploits with the Bats saw her earn her first four caps with the USWNT. With her spot on this team further solidified, Ryan could make a case for being Gotham's best player going into 2025.

Jéssica Silva

Grade: C+

Jéssica Silva was signed midseason to help provide depth in the stretch run to the playoffs. She appeared in seven matches, notching a goal and two assists. Silva is currently a free agent and her future with Gotham is unclear at the time of writing.

Ella Stevens

Grade: A

An understated free agent signing, Ella Stevens was arguably the most improved player in the NWSL. She scored eight goals and seven assists in 31 matches in all competitions, providing Gotham with an additional attacking outlet they probably were not expecting to begin the season. Her contributions were in all phases of play finishing in the 90th percentile in assists per 90, 95th percentile of progressive passes per 90, and 97th percentile in tackles per 90 amongst all forwards in the world.

Lynn Williams

Grade: B

Coming off of a strong 2023, Lynn Williams took a small step back in 2024. While she struggled with injury, her form fluctuated throughout the season. She finished with seven goals and four assists in 21 matches in all competitions. And despite her minor struggles offensively, she was still a strong defensive winger, finishing in the 98th percentile of tackles per 90, 95th percentile in clearances per 90, and 99th percentile of aerials won per 90 of all wingers in the world.

Please note the following players were not given grades due to barely playing or not playing at all: Sinead Farrelly, Svava Guðmundsdóttir, and Midge Purce.