Tess Boade is still in awe of the assemblage of talent that she sees when she looks around Gotham FC’s dressing room.
“I’ve been on a lot of different teams in my career — and I think the Gotham locker room is really special,” Boade recently told South Ward Central via phone interview. “I think there’s obviously immense talent in the room. It’s probably one of the most talented rosters maybe in the world.”
Having agreed to a mutual contract termination with Bay FC on August 19, the 27-year-old midfielder was desperate to join a proven winner.
Boade Sought A Winning Culture And Found It At Gotham FC
“When I was leaving Bay, trying to decide where I wanted to go, the number one thing I said was I want to go somewhere that wants to win, cares about winning, and actually wins — that’s exactly what this club does,” Boade recalled.
One day later, Boade agreed to join Gotham FC on a short-term contract through the end of the 2026 season. For Boade, the defending NWSL champions Gotham FC ticked all the boxes.
Having former North Carolina Courage teammates Denise O’Sullivan, Meredith Speck, Jaedyn Shaw and Olivia Wingate helped ease the transition. As did the presence of former Courage head coach Sean Nahas, who is currently serving as a consultant for Gotham FC and interim director of methodology.
“I think [a] midseason [transfer] is always a bit of a roll of the dice,” Boade said. “It’s a little hard to integrate right away, but I think I’ve been really lucky that not only my North Carolina friends, but also a lot of other familiar faces around the club from just five years being in the league really helped that transition happen quickly. Once I stepped onto the field, it felt like I’d been here all season.”
Gotham FC’s Squad Depth Impresses Boade
Boade missed last Sunday’s 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Seattle Reign FC due to a hamstring injury. Despite the Bats being tested with a nonstop wave of injuries throughout the 2026 NWSL regular season and playoffs, they remain strong contenders to win the NWSL championship due to squad depth and a team-first ethic that runs throughout the dressing room.
“People are willing to play different roles,” Boade explained. “We’re all experienced and played all these various roles in our career. I think that really helps a lot, especially when you get to playoffs.
“Last game, Jaelin [Howell] goes down. Then we all look to the side, and we see Sav McCaskill subbing in, and we all take a deep breath like, okay, we’re going to be good. I think we just have that all the way through our entire roster.”
Prior to the hamstring injury, Boade started in victories over the Orlando Pride and Utah Royals to close out the regular season, the latter of which clinched Gotham’s first NWSL Shield.
Boade Enjoying Amorós’ High-Pressing System
The 5-foot-4 midfielder is excited to be along for the ride in Gotham’s postseason run and is pleased to have the opportunity to play in Juan Carlos Amorós’ lightning-paced, high-pressing system.
“I think that’s my favorite style of play,” Boade said. “When I first got here, I had told Yael [Averbuch West] and Juan [Carlos Amorós] this is a club I’ve respected for a really long time. Juan is a coach that I’ve admired from a distance. I like his style of play. High press, fast pace, a lot of fluidity, and to get the chance to come and play under him and with the Gotham crest has always been something I’ve wanted to do.
“I think you can even see the style evolving and shifting as Nahas is here now as well. I think just kind of combining those two styles just makes our game so exciting. I think it’s so fun to play and as well watch.”
Sunday’s semifinal meeting against the Kansas City Current at Icahn Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. The match will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN Deportes.
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