NJ/NY Gotham FC Monday announced the club’s 29-player preseason roster that features National Women’s Soccer League champions, World Cup champions, key returning contributors, and stars of several national teams.

The club also revealed plans to train at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Feb. 8-March 3, after kicking off preseason training Monday in New Jersey.

Under the direction of head coach Juan Carlos Amorós and his new technical staff, Gotham FC’s preseason schedule will include closed-door scrimmages against two NWSL opponents – the Orlando Pride on Feb.18 and Chicago Red Stars on March 2.

“The talented group of players that we have assembled are a reflection of the exciting new direction we are moving as a club,” general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch said in a statement. “With the facilities and resources at IMG Academy, as well as the competitive matches against league opponents, we look forward to providing the best preparations for the players of Gotham FC and for the NWSL season ahead.”

Gotham FC pre-season roster

Goalkeepers (4): Michelle Betos, Hensley Hancuff (NYR), Abby Smith, Mandy Haught

Defenders (9): Bruninha (INTL), Imani Dorsey, Kristen Edmonds, Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Ellie Jean, Ali Krieger, Nealy Martin, Kelley O’Hara

Midfielders (10): Iliana Hocking (DRAFT), Nahomi Kawasumi (INTL), Allie Long, Kristie Mewis, Victoria Pickett, Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, Taryn Torres, McCall Zerboni, Sinead Farrelly (NRI)

Forwards (6): Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir (INTL), Jenna Nighswonger (DRAFT), Midge Purce, Ifeoma Onumonu, Taylor Smith, Lynn Williams

INTL: Denotes International Player

NRI: Non-Roster Invitee

NYR: Not Yet Reported

DRAFT: 2023 NWSL Draft Pick

About the roster

Among the latest additions to the team are 2022 NWSL champions Abby Smith and Yazmeen Ryan, two-time World Cup champion and 2021 NWSL champion Kelley O’Hara of the U.S. women’s national team, and USWNT forward Lynn Williams, a three-time NWSL champion. Florida State University forward Jenna Nighswonger joins the club as the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft alongside fourth-round pick midfielder Iliana Hocking from the University of Arizona.

Key returning standouts include forwards Ifeoma Onumonu, Margaret “Midge” Purce, and Taylor Smith; midfielders Nahomi Kawasumi, Allie Long, Kristie Mewis, Victoria Pickett, Delanie Sheehan, Taryn Torres, and McCall Zerboni; defenders Bruninha, Imani Dorsey, Sabrina Flores (who signed through 2023 with an option), Mandy Freeman, Ellie Jean and Ali Krieger; and goalkeeper Michelle Betos.

New Jersey native Kristen Edmonds signed as a free agent, and after a season away to compete in Sweden’s top-division league, goalkeeper Mandy (McGlynn) Haught has returned to Gotham FC. Defender Nealy Martin comes to Gotham FC after spending her first two seasons with Racing Louisville FC, and most recently, Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir, a forward with the Iceland Women’s National Team, was signed to a two-year contract.

Gotham FC will begin the preseason without goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff, who remains on loan with Brisbane Roar FC in Australia.

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.