Mandy Freeman has been a consistent performer on the Gotham FC backline. (Photo courtesy of Gotham FC)

NJ/NY Gotham FC Thursday announced it had re-signed defender Mandy Freeman to a two-year contract through the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season.

Freeman is a member of the team since 2017, when she was the 10th overall choice in the NWSL Draft.

“I’m excited to continue my career with Gotham FC,” Freeman in a statement. “In my six seasons with this club, I have seen the growth and believe in the potential for us to be great. We have the best fans who show up for us every day, and we get to represent the amazing and diverse people of New York and New Jersey. Thank you for believing in me. I look forward to working with head coach Juan Carlos Amoros and being a part of the many great things this club will undoubtedly achieve.”

The 27-year-old Freeman has played in 80 matches and recorded 258 clearances, 56 blocks and 109 interceptions.

“Mandy epitomizes everything we want Gotham FC to be,” Gotham FC general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West said in a statement. “She is a reliable defender and excellent passer with a team-first mindset. Mandy has been a rock for our club and we are really proud she is remaining with us.”

Freeman played collegiately at USC, where she was a key part of the 2016 NCAA Division I championship team. She named Pac-12 defensive player of the year and was a three-time Pac-12 selection.

In international competition, Freeman was a member of the Under-23, U-20, and U-17 U.S. national teams, and the U-17 World Cup qualifying team.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.