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Thank you, Gotham FC:
HARRISON, N.J. (January 11, 2021) – NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League announced today that veteran goalkeeper Michelle Betos has signed a two-year deal that will bring the New Yorker back to her hometown roots. Gotham FC acquired her rights in December after Racing Louisville FC waived her.
“I can’t believe we managed to get Michelle here with us at Gotham FC," said Head Coach Scott Parkinson. “She’s a competitor, has the highest standards professionally and will help us all understand what it means to play for and represent this community.”
After more than a decade-long career that has spanned multiple leagues both overseas and domestic, the Queens, N.Y. native will finally get the opportunity to play in front of a hometown crowd.
“I’m thrilled to be joining this club,” said Betos. “I have always dreamed of playing at home and Gotham FC just inherited 40+ crazy Italian fans at Red Bull Arena every weekend.”
Betos joins Gotham FC after a season with expansion side Racing Louisville FC where she started 20 matches, logged 1800 minutes, and recorded an impressive 96 saves. The team captain finished the year second overall on the league leaderboard for saves despite being sidelined with an injury late in the season.
Prior to Racing, Betos spent her first seven seasons in the NWSL in the Pacific Northwest competing on both sides of the Cascadia Rivalry. After playing the inaugural NWSL season with then Seattle Reign, Betos found her way to the Rose City where she would go on to earn 2015 Goalkeeper of the Year and help the Thorns win the 2016 NWSL Shield alongside current Gotham FC teammate Allie Long. In 2015, she notably scored an equalizer in the 95th minute against then FC Kansas City, making her the first goalkeeper to score in NWSL history. Betos played overseas in Norway for Toppserien side Vålerenga Fotball Damer in 2017 before returning to the Reign in 2018.
“I have such an incredible amount of respect for everyone in the organization from the top down, and I know their locker room is truly a special one,” added Betos. “The potential of this team is so exciting, and I believe we will achieve great things this season and beyond.”
Gotham FC begins the pre-season on February 1 before kicking off the 2022 season on Saturday, March 19, with group play for the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Cup will feature three groups of four teams, playing double round-robin matches, semifinals and the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 7, broadcast on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live on Paramount+.
About NJ/NY Gotham FC:
Originally named Sky Blue FC, the Club underwent a major rebrand in April 2021 and officially changed its name to NJ/NY Gotham FC. Representing New Jersey and New York, the Club plays its National Women’s Soccer League home matches at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The Club has been part of the NWSL since the league launched in 2013. Founded in 2007, Gotham FC originally debuted as Jersey Sky Blue in the W-League of United Soccer Leagues. The Club won its first trophy as Sky Blue FC in 2009 after winning the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer championship. Most recently, Gotham FC played in the 2021 Challenge Cup Final against the Portland Thorns, the Club’s first ever championship appearance in NWSL competition.
Gotham had 2 GK's leave of late, then gained one with a boat load of USWNT experience and her equally experienced wife, now they have added NYC native, Michelle Betos. We have been lucy enough to have met her mother and the player, she is great friends with standout player and Long Islander Allie Long. Also a great person, we firs meet her at an event for the late brother of Emily Menges of the Portland Thorns in their hometown of Garden City. It was a packed house for a soccer clinic to raise funds for I'm Not Done Yet, conducted by many players of the NWSL. 'Keeper Wars will no doubt be going on each and every training session as both vie for the top spot in net.
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