Ashlyn Harris will start a new chapter in her soccer career. (Photo courtesy of Gotham FC)
A day after she announced her retirement, NJ/NY Gotham FC and former U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris joined the National Women’s Soccer League team in newly created position of global creative advisor.
Harris will work in close collaboration with the club’s marketing team.
“I’m excited for this next phase of my career and to have this special opportunity to continue with Gotham FC in this role,” Harris said in a statement. “There is so much we can do as a club to further solidify its presence in this market and transform expectations of what a women’s soccer club can be.”
The 37-year-old Harris announced her retirement Monday night at a U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association event. She played her final season in 2022 with Gotham FC, earning three clean sheets in 13 starts in the NWSL Challenge Cup and regular season.
Harris is a brand ambassador for adidas, providing feedback on performance and lifestyle product and collaborating on marketing campaigns with the global brand. Represented by Wasserman, Harris has worked as a professional model with Elite Model Management and worked with leading fashion and beauty brands including Tag Heuer, Bumble and Bumble and Thom Browne. She also does brand ambassador work and marketing collaboration with Fortune 500 companies such as Ally Bank, Hertz, and Procter & Gamble, to name a few.
“We are thrilled that Ashlyn will be joining us in this new role at Gotham FC,” Gotham FC senior vice president of marketing Jonna Valente said in a statement. “She brings a unique perspective that will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the club from a brand perspective. We are excited to collaborate with Ashlyn to drive Gotham FC forward.”
Harris was a a member of the USA’s 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup championship teams. In 2016, she was named Concacaf goalkeeper of the year and was named to the Concacaf Best XI. At age of 16 and as the youngest starter on the team, she played every minute as the USA won the inaugural Under-19 Women’s World Cup.
During her 10-year NWSL career, Harris played with the Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride and Gotham FC. In 2016, she was named NWSL goalkeeper of the year and to the NWSL Best XI while earning NWSL save of the week honors nine times. In Women’s Professional Soccer in 2011, Harris won goalkeeper of the year and led the Western New York Flash to the regular season title and the championship in the club’s first year. Harris also enjoyed a successful collegiate career at the University of North Carolina that won NCAA Division I championships in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
