Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós sat next to veteran defender Emily Sonnett and saluted the 32-year-old’s value to the club after she agreed to a contract extension through 2028.
“As a club, we are incredibly proud that someone of her caliber decided to stay with us,” Amorós said during Thursday’s press conference ahead of the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup. “The market has evolved to the point where players can look at free agency and have a lot of options. There were a lot of clubs interested in signing Emily when she came here. The fact that she chose Gotham was special.”
Emily Sonnett Has Been a Cornerstone of Gotham’s Success
Sonnett has made 77 total appearances since joining the Bats in January 2024. Her 6,317 minutes played for the club have been filled with dependability in protecting the back line and connecting pinpoint passes to teammates, helping Gotham capture an NWSL championship and Concacaf W Champions Cup trophy double in 2025.
Last season, she ranked third in the NWSL with 1,520 total passes and second with 1,359 completed passes. Among all NWSL players, Sonnett finished seventh in touches (1,775) and was fifth overall in possession won in the defensive third (71).
Tierna Davidson Praises Sonnett’s Winning Mentality
“I’ve always known Sonnett to be a winner and a competitor,” Gotham captain Tierna Davidson stated. “She’s now won league titles at three different clubs, so wherever she goes, she wins. Being able to learn from her and develop that partnership has been great. We balance each other out quite well.”
Sonnett has been essential to Gotham owning the NWSL’s best defensive record in 2026. The fifth-place Bats have only surrendered five goals against through 11 league matches.
“Now, after three years, the fact that she feels she’s growing here, is happy with the people she’s playing with and wants to continue the journey with us is something that makes us really proud,” Amorós said. “She’s such a winner and such an integral part of the way we play and the way we do things. We’re very happy she decided to stay.”
Earlier this season, Sonnett and Gotham earned a bronze medal at the inaugural 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and won a record eighth SheBelieves Cup with the United States women’s national team.
She’ll have an opportunity to add to her impressive trophy haul in Friday’s NWSL Challenge Cup meeting against the Kansas City Current.
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