Gotham FC veteran Ann-Katrin Berger continues to perform as one of the NWSL’s most dominant goalkeepers despite being on the other side of 35.
Berger will turn 36 in October, and the renowned shot-stopper isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Her reliability between the sticks has helped Gotham become the stingiest team in the NWSL, having only conceded five goals through nine league matches.
“First of all, I think age is just a number,” Berger said earlier this season. “Sometimes I feel my age, and sometimes I feel younger. It’s about how you feel and how you deal with it mentally. I love playing soccer. I train to win, and that’s my motivation because that’s what I’m here for.”
The 5-foot-11 German has been as essential as ever to Gotham’s success, having not missed a single minute for the Bats this season.
Berger currently leads the NWSL with six shutouts and has made 21 saves while recording an 80.77 percent save percentage – which is the highest among NWSL goalkeepers who have appeared in every match.
Gotham FC Boasts Impressive Goalkeeping Depth Behind Berger
At some point, Berger will have to hand off the No. 1 keeper’s gloves to her successor. Gotham is stocked with quality understudies in twenty-eight-year-old Shelby Hogan, 24-year-old Ryan Campbell and 21-year-old Teagan Wy.
“Here at Gotham, we have actually a really nice united goalkeeping union,” Berger said during Thursday’s press conference. “I really enjoy working with every single one because I think everyone brings a different type of goalkeeping, which I really like and enjoy watching. Not just because I’m like the oldest one, I can still learn from other techniques that other goalkeepers have.”
Wy is a particularly intriguing prospect. Berger recognizes the competitive nature of Wy, who has caught the eye of United States Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes, who invited the former California Golden Bears to USWNT Futures Camp.
“She brings something different to the team, which I like,” Berger said of Wy. “I always like to be very competitive to try to, even if that’s their strength, I like to make it also mine. So it is really nice working with her. It’s really refreshing. I think she’s also really eager to learn, and you can see that every day on the pitch. I really enjoy working with all three goalkeepers.”
Berger Talks About Her Goalkeeping Idols
Berger recalled her memories of being an aspiring goalkeeper in Germany. She studied early sweeper-keepers of the men’s game like former Fulham and Manchester United great Edwin van der Sar and more modern examples like Manuel Neuer and Marc-André ter Stegen.
“When I grew up, I was always a big fan of Edwin van der Sar, because I think over time, Manuel Neuer perfected it. He was the 11th player. But I think from being like Iker Casillas or Oliver Kahn to then the transition between that.
“I think Edwin van der Sar started it. Obviously not a smooth way, like Manuel Neuer or Ter Stegen. So I think that’s what most of the time I liked, because he was different. It felt like he was different to the other goalkeepers back then.”
Berger will continue to be key to Gotham’s ambitions of repeating last season’s trophy double as NWSL champions and Concacaf W Champions Cup winners.
She’ll have an opportunity to earn her seventh shutout of the season when Gotham takes on Seattle Reign FC at Lumen Field on Friday night. The match will kick off at 10 pm. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on Victory+.
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