The adjustment period is over for experienced Gotham FC midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, who is back to playing her best football as the Bats chase a first-ever NWSL Shield and look to repeat as NWSL champions.
Following her July 14 arrival from Liverpool, a knee injury interrupted her acclimation to her new team. When she finally earned her first Gotham start on September 6, it did not go to plan for O’Sullivan and her teammates.
Gotham struggled in the high-altitude conditions of Centennial Stadium as the Denver Summit pulled off a shocking 3-0 victory that snapped the Bats’ club-record 10-match unbeaten streak.
Since that defeat, Gotham has taken 10 of a possible 12 points over a current four-game undefeated run.
After Self-Admitted ‘Stinker’ Against Denver, O’Sullivan Is Back to Her Commanding Best
O’Sullivan admitted that her first start for her new club was a “stinker,” though it would be difficult to identify Gotham players who put in a peak performance in Centennial, Colorado.
“It was going to take a while to settle in and get used to players that are around me on a new team,” O’Sullivan said following Sunday’s 1-1 home draw against Angel City FC. “I kind of got that one out of the way against Denver. It was a stinker for me — left that behind.”
The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international is feeling like herself again after logging eight matches for Gotham.
On Sunday, O’Sullivan made four tackles and seven recoveries, two clearances, one interception and one block. She completed 91 percent of her passes, including two balls into the final third.
“Now, I’m starting to get into the flow with the team,” O’Sullivan explained. “I feel like I’m getting back to myself again, so I’m getting more confident, getting a lot of touches. I have world-class players around me who make me better and help me feel comfortable, so I definitely think that I’m getting used to the team and getting used to everyone’s strengths.”
Sunday’s match was O’Sullivan’s 200th start across all NWSL competitions. She became the 19th player in league history to reach the milestone.
Longtime Teammate Meredith Speck Calls O’Sullivan a Midfield ‘Destroyer’
The majority of those matches were played alongside fellow Gotham midseason recruit Meredith Speck. Few know O’Sullivan better than the 33-year-old Rockville Centre, Long Island, native, as they shared the North Carolina Courage dressing room for over eight seasons.
“She is so energetic — she’s everywhere on the field,” Speck told South Ward Central. “We used to joke that she’s so small but she’s truly a destroyer. She has a phenomenal touch and is always cool, calm and collected. So she is truly such an asset to any team.
“I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten to play with her for so long because it’s such a joy to watch her play. She makes everyone around her better.”
Together, Speck and O’Sullivan won two NWSL championships in North Carolina along with three NWSL Shields and two NWSL Challenge Cups. Experienced pros like O’Sullivan and Speck who’ve made a habit of collecting silverware have added an extra layer of desperation to an already trophy-hungry Gotham roster.
With three regular-season matches remaining, first-place Gotham (55 points) has the opportunity to claim a first NWSL Shield in the club’s history by winning the remainder of its matches regardless of how second-place San Diego Wave FC (51 points) fares.
Shaun Harris: O’Sullivan Is ‘A Key Player on and Off the Pitch’
Earlier this season, Gotham FC lead assistant coach Shaun Harris described O’Sullivan as a “key player” as the club strives to finish 2026 with a treble by winning the NWSL Shield and repeating as NWSL champions to go along with June’s victory in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
“She’s a key player for us,” Harris said of O’Sullivan in August. “Obviously, that’s why we signed her. The quality that she brings, the mentality that she brings both on and off the pitch, is something that we really rely on. We want to be competing for these top trophies.”
Now that O’Sullivan has adapted to Gotham’s style while building chemistry and connections with her teammates, her value to the club is going to be even clearer.
As the NWSL Shield chase heats up and the NWSL playoffs soon get underway, Gotham will look to O’Sullivan to be a tempo-setter who can dictate the rhythm of matches and make key defensive contributions with her aggressive style of play, ball-winning ability and reading of the game.
“Denise is great [with] her ability on the ball to settle us down, connect passes and her technical ability,” Gotham FC midfielder Jaelin Howell said in the mixed zone following Sunday’s match.
“I remember playing against her in North Carolina, always hating playing against her. So it’s nice to play with her, and she balances me really well, covering me when I step forward and vice versa.”
O’Sullivan: ‘I Don’t Need the Acclaim, I’ll Do the Dirty Work, That’s Fine With Me’
O’Sullivan’s team-first attitude has been apparent since she arrived at the defending NWSL champions in July.
“I’m someone who doesn’t like the spotlight,” O’Sullivan said during her introductory press conference. “I don’t need the acclaim or the compliments. I don’t mind being behind the scenes doing the work for the team. Let somebody else score the goals, and I’ll do the dirty work. That’s fine with me.”
O’Sullivan will join up with the Republic of Ireland for its FIFA Women’s World Cup playoff qualifying first round against Kazakhstan, though she is being held out of the first leg in Astana on Friday, October 9.
Ireland head coach Carla Ward decided to hold O’Sullivan out of the October 9 match because of travel considerations and is taking precautions given the artificial playing surface after the 5-foot-4 midfielder’s recent knee injury.
O’Sullivan will be in Ireland’s squad for the return leg, where she’ll have the opportunity to play in her hometown of Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on October 13.
After the international break, it will be full steam ahead for O’Sullivan and her Gotham teammates in pursuit of the NWSL Shield and the goal of repeating as NWSL champions.
Next up is a highly anticipated meeting against fierce rivals the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on October 17.
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