Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós wants to be remembered for building a lasting culture of winning and a tight-knit togetherness at Gotham FC.

The 41-year-old Madrileño knows that someday there will come a time when he is no longer instructing Gotham players from the technical area, breaking down tactical nuances with them in film sessions and drilling details into his squad on the training pitch.

Given the stability and success that Amorós has ushered in since arriving at Gotham on November 1, 2022, the passionate supporters who show up to Sports Illustrated Stadium are hoping that he stays around for a long time.

The same can be said of club governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett and general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West, who rewarded Amorós with a five-year contract extension in April 2025 that runs through the 2029 season.

A Culture of Winning and Togetherness Drives Gotham FC

After receiving his 2025 NWSL championship ring following Saturday’s home opening draw against the North Carolina Courage, Amorós reflected on his legacy that is still being written.

“I still have a longer contract to be here, but at some point in my life, I won’t be here,” Amorós said. “But it will always be that memory that, ‘Oh, the coach at that time, it was this guy from Spain who came over here and did this.’ So, I’m very proud of that because I do a lot of sacrifices.”

Though Amorós has already captured two NWSL titles and won the inaugural 2024–25 Concacaf W Champions Cup, his hunger and desire to improve each and every day are clear.

Longtime Atlético Madrid men’s head coach Diego Simeone calls it “partido a partido” or in English “match by match.” Highly successful coaches like Simeone and Amorós understand that an unwavering focus on day-to-day details can produce long-term results.

“Here we are, second ring in obviously three years building something new for this football club in this season,” Amorós said. “I think we are creating a brand of football that is recognizable. We are being successful with player development.

“I think we are in an environment where we’re building a culture that people actually enjoy being in it, and that’s something that I take a lot of pride in because that’s why I do the job that I do. I want the fans to have fun, the players [to have fun], and obviously to win and to be able to achieve it and to achieve it twice, I think it’s something. When we saw that banner, I think it’s something that is just writing history at some point.”

Madrid Roots Shaped Amorós’ Deep Passion for the Game

Amorós remembers watching football throughout his youth in Madrid, where his obsession was honed. Whether it was the grand stage of Real Madrid’s Bernabéu, Atlético Madrid’s intense former fortress, the Vicente Calderón Stadium or Rayo Vallecano’s humble Vallecas Stadium, he was desperate to be there.

In fact, any stadium or park would do.

“Any football from Madrid I feel related to because that’s where I grew up,” Amorós said. “I honestly watched more games in the parks, in the neighborhoods, on the TV, but I used to go to a lot of the three stadiums.

“I used to go to all of the games that I could. Sometimes it wasn’t even [Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid], it was also any football match that I could go. I used to go a lot to watch Rayo Vallecano, that was a lot cheaper, and I loved it. I used to go with my family, and as a kid I loved any football from Madrid.”

Gotham Supporters Are Reveling in Amorós Winning Brand of Football

Amorós wanted to create something special, something lasting in his adopted home in the New York metropolitan area, and he has. On Saturday, Gotham fans set a new club record with a home opening attendance of 10,796.

Nowadays, Gotham supporters are soaking up the attacking, wholehearted football that Amorós, his technical staff and his talented collection of players are creating on the pitch.

Perhaps someday when the history books are written about the NWSL, Amorós will be recognized as a transformative figure in women’s soccer whose tactical philosophies, training methods and identity building are studied for decades to come.

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