Khyah Harper bid an emotional farewell to Gotham FC last Tuesday when she moved to the Houston Dash on a free transfer.
The pacey 23-year-old forward recently spoke one-on-one with South Ward Central about why the Dash are the right fit for her development. The first part of the interview can be found here.
In the second of a two-part feature, Harper shares her Gotham memories, what it meant for her to represent the club and the unbreakable friendships she forged within the dressing room.
Harper signed for the Bats in January 2025 after a standout senior season at the University of Minnesota, where she recorded 17 goals and six assists and was named the 2024 Big Ten Forward of the Year.
After making 25 appearances for Gotham in all competitions and scoring three goals, Harper looks back at her time with the defending NWSL champions with fondness and gratitude.
A Rookie Year She’ll Never Forget
“I think that Gotham is such a special place,” Harper told South Ward Central. “It’s world talent – they’re world class. So I think that all of my memories there will last a lifetime.”
The 5-foot-5 forward played a part in helping Gotham win the 2024-25 Concacaf W Champions Cup, the 2025 NWSL Championship and the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup – and doing it alongside players she looked up to in established stars Rose Lavelle and Midge Purce made the experience all the more sweet.
“Those moments in my rookie year will always be a highlight of my life,” Harper beamed. “Getting to win that many medals in one year, let alone your rookie year, and then playing with people that were once my idols, Rose Lavelle, Midge Purce. I think that’s so unique and I’m so grateful for that opportunity.”
Friendships That Will Last a Lifetime
As a rookie, she struck up a fast friendship with fellow first-year teammates Sofia Cook and Sarah Schupansky, who leaned on each other on and off the pitch.
“In my first year at Gotham, we had a really big rookie class,” Harper recalled. “So all of us really got close really quickly. Obviously, I got really close with Sof and Sarah. They’ll be one of my best friends for life. I think that our bond and all the experiences, we’ll never forget them, and we always did them together.
“Even off the pitch, I think that our relationship is one of a kind. I’m so grateful for them always being supportive of me and of each other. That’s sometimes really hard to find when you’re in such a competitive environment, and your performance counts every single day.
“Sometimes you’re getting minutes, sometimes the other one’s getting minutes, but I think that our bonds, the three of us, we’re always so supportive of each other, and that’s what makes it so special.”
Experiencing Life Around New York City
The Lino Lakes, Minnesota, native and her teammates sampled much of what the New York metro area has to offer. Harper attended Broadway plays, New York Islanders and Sirens hockey games and those of several New York sports locals and the Mizuho Americas LPGA Open at Mountain Ridge Country Club.
“I think every opportunity that Gotham FC has brought, whether it’s on the New Jersey side, New York side, I think that everything that they bring on the pitch and off the pitch is super special and super unique to that club,” she said.
“So I think that’s obviously something I’ll carry with me forever. I mean, we went to a whole bunch of sports games. New York City is historically one of the best sports cities in the world. In that aspect, it’s really special about all the off-the-field opportunities they give. Obviously, I’m so grateful for that.”
A Message for Gotham Supporters
Though she is now a member of the Dash, Harper made sure to show her appreciation for Cloud 9 and the diehard supporters who fill Sports Illustrated Stadium with noise every weekend.
“Their support and their energy that they bring was tremendous,” Harper said. “They were always there. They always were committed to helping us any way we can on the field, and I think that we really do hear fans when we’re on the field.
“In my time at Gotham, I’m super appreciative for everything that they did, all their support, everything that they did, being at events for us. It’s super special to have a group like that in support of women’s sports, especially as it’s growing. It’s just getting bigger and bigger.”
When Harper eventually returns to Harrison in a visiting Dash uniform, she will receive a welcome back from Gotham supporters, warm embraces from former teammates and staff and return to a stadium that holds countless fond memories.
After making her Houston debut against Gotham last Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium, Harper and the Dash will host the NWSL Shield-holding Kansas City Current this coming Saturday.
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