Veteran midfielder Meredith Speck always envisioned her career ending in a North Carolina Courage uniform.
After all, the now 33-year-old had spent a decade within the Courage organization and had reached 100 regular-season appearances for the club following its 2017 relocation from Western New York.
“When I was making the plan in my head, I was like, 10 seasons in North Carolina, that’s just where I’ll end,” Speck told South Ward Central.
But those plans suddenly changed in December 2025 when it was announced that her Courage contract would expire. Along with several teammates, Speck found herself searching for a new club as North Carolina transitioned amid a roster rebuild.
While waiting for her next NWSL opportunity to emerge, Speck kept up her fitness levels by playing co-ed pickup soccer games alongside former Courage teammate Heather O’Reilly and participating in The Soccer Tournament (TST) held in May and June.
Gotham FC first took a look at Speck during the preseason. She trained with the defending NWSL champions in February, though no contract was offered at the time.
Speck Explains Why Joining Gotham FC Felt Like a ‘Double Homecoming’
After key defender Emily Sonnett was ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season in late July due to a ruptured patellar tendon in her left knee, a window opened for Speck to join Gotham FC.
“It kind of happened in a whirlwind, and so at first it seemed a little surreal,” Speck recalled. “The longer I get to spend here and the more times my family have been to games, I’m just so grateful for the experience and I think it’s really special.”
The Rockville Centre, New York, native, who remembers attending Long Island Rough Riders Women’s games during her youth, described the experience of joining Gotham FC as a “double homecoming.”
“So it felt a little bit like a double homecoming as far as physically being back in New York, but also like being in an environment that I felt very comfortable and familiar with,” Speck said. “We went to Rough Rider games on Long Island, but the scale to which Gotham is operating in New York and New Jersey, I think it’s really special to be a part of and I’m really grateful to be here.”
Opportunity to Represent the New York Area Is Meaningful to Speck and Her Family
Speck felt her family tugging her toward a return home to the New York metropolitan area.
“I had been at the Courage for 10 seasons, so there was a certain point where my family was saying, you know, is this something that you would consider? Being here in Gotham now, it is like a best case scenario,” she explained. “Being able to represent a New York sports team was not something I planned for, but I think the longer I’m here and the more I can identify as being part of a New York City sports franchise, the more special it will get.
“Being in this environment, it was very similar to the environment that I’m used to in North Carolina of high standards, high energy, competitive. When the opportunity came, physically, I still felt like I could compete.”
Denise O’Sullivan on Speck: ‘She Brings Positive Vibes Every Day’
Gotham FC teammate Denise O’Sullivan played alongside Speck for nine seasons in North Carolina. Their reunion with the Bats marks their 10th season together.
“Meredith is such a good teammate,” O’Sullivan said while speaking with South Ward Central on Wednesday. “I’ve obviously known Mer for many years. She’s amazing for team culture and she is one of the most supportive teammates that you can have.
“No matter her role, she’ll always be ready when she’s called on the pitch. Her leadership is so important around this team. She brings positive vibes every day, no matter whether we’re going through a tough time as a team or whether we’re going through a good time, she’s always the positive one.”
Speck Brings Winning Experience and Dressing-Room Leadership to Gotham
An already deeply experienced Gotham squad has been bolstered by Speck’s experience in helping lead the Courage to two NWSL championships, three NWSL Shields and two NWSL Challenge Cup victories, as well as an additional NWSL championship with the Western New York Flash.
“I think there is a difference between experience and winning experience,” Speck said. “I think I have a kind of an expertise in keeping from the top player on the roster to the 26th player on the roster, invested day in and day out and kind of enjoying those daily moments.
“I definitely came in with an open mind. I’ve played a lot of roles. They wanted me to be myself, which is important. I think I am good at making the most of every opportunity, always being prepared. I think that that’s an important thing to have in a team that has such a competitive roster is how can you keep everyone engaged and invested, even if they’re not necessarily getting the minutes that they want, or maybe ready to get as many minutes as they’d like.”
Speck Helped Sway Olivia Wingate’s Decision to Join Gotham
Though her Gotham playing time has been limited to 37 minutes across two matches, Speck remains highly influential among teammates through her ability to push them and encourage them to strive for more.
“I think that’s really what they’re looking for from me, is just kind of keeping the daily environment competitive and exciting,” she said.
Olivia Wingate, who recently arrived at Gotham, is another former North Carolina teammate who has studied Speck’s example closely.
“Merry is not only a pro on and off the field, doing whatever she can for the team,” Wingate told South Ward Central. “She is somebody who is so extroverted and amazing for a team culture. Being with her in North Carolina, she was someone who I gravitated towards in my rookie year. We became very good friends over our years together there.”
As the October 8 intraleague deadline approached, Wingate contemplated which club to join and immediately reached out to Speck for advice. Her input helped the 26-year-old forward choose Gotham.
“Coming here, she was the first one who I reached out to about the opportunity,” Wingate revealed. “That’s just a testament to her character in how she supports her teammates, her friends and how she carries herself in the team environment. She raises standards all-around culture wise and on the field.”
Why Delivering Silverware to Gotham Would Feel Extra Sweet for Speck
If Gotham FC are able to secure an NWSL Shield and go on to repeat as NWSL champions, Speck will have played her part even if it wasn’t in a starting role.
“Anytime you can win a trophy, it’s a great feeling,” Speck stated. “And I think being able to do it for a club that means a lot to everyone in my life would mean a lot. So hopefully in November you can ask me the same question and I’ll tell you that it means even more than I thought it would.”
With two regular-season matches remaining, the Bats currently sit atop the NWSL standings with 55 points. The second-place San Diego Wave FC (54 points) are just one point behind, while the rival Washington Spirit (52 points) are separated from first place by three points.
Gotham FC will soon travel to the Sunshine State to face Orlando Pride on Sunday, October 25. The 3 p.m. Eastern Time match will be carried on CBS Sports Network.
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