As the NWSL’s October 8 intraleague deadline ticked closer to its 3 p.m. cutoff, Olivia Wingate nervously waited for her move to defending NWSL champions Gotham FC to go through.
“That day was pretty crazy,” Wingate recalled during a sitdown interview with South Ward Central on Wednesday. “I had been in talks with my agent about teams that needed some players to help push them over the playoff line, any opportunities that I could have in that way. Gotham was one [club] that was interested.”
Fifteen minutes before the deadline, Wingate put pen to paper on a contract to join Gotham FC through the end of the 2026 season.
“On the decision day, it was down to the wire,” Wingate said. “I was really stressed out but it all went through. I signed the contract at 2:45 p.m. and of course, the deadline was 3 p.m. It was pretty down to the wire but I’m very happy.
“I’m so grateful that they wanted to bring me on to the team and [I’ll] help in any way that I can. Being surrounded by players like Rose [Lavelle], Sam [Kerr] and other international players who are amazing and I’ve looked up to for a very long time is going to be amazing for me to soak up any information that I can and be a sponge at this point. This team knows how to win and coming into this culture is going to be really awesome.”
Wingate’s move to the defending NWSL champions represents a new start for the former Notre Dame standout forward.
“This is the first time I’ve come to a new team since being drafted,” she said. “I haven’t had to be a new fish in a big pond role in a little bit. I was nervous for that.”
Familiar Faces Helping Wingate Settle In at Gotham FC
In reuniting with former North Carolina Courage teammates Denise O’Sullivan, Meredith Speck, Jaedyn Shaw and Tess Boade, as well as previous Courage head coach Sean Nahas who is serving as a Gotham FC consultant and interim director of methodology helped accelerate Wingate’s adaptation to her new club.
“Having them here has made the transition so much smoother,” Wingate stated. “The whole team has been very welcoming and we’ve gotten right into it.”
Eight days after the ink dried on her contract, Wingate made her Gotham FC debut in last Saturday’s 1-0 road defeat to the rival Washington Spirit.
The 26-year-old forward made a 31-minute substitute appearance at Audi Field. It was an encouraging performance as Wingate completed five of six passes, created one chance and made four touches inside the opposition box.
“They prepared me super well,” Wingate said. “The whole week I was here from day one, we’ve been having extra meetings, getting me caught up on team philosophies, fluidity, how things are run here defensively and offensively. I felt very prepared going in.”
O’Sullivan Highlights Wingate’s Attacking Threat
O’Sullivan was particularly pleased for Wingate as she witnessed firsthand the difficult rehab that the 5-foot-7 forward underwent as part of an 11-month return-to-play process following a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury in her left knee.
“I’m really happy for her – she made an impact coming on to the pitch,” O’Sullivan told South Ward Central on Wednesday. “She created chances.
“Her speed is a great asset to any team. I think for us, as a possession-based team, Liv gives us that other attacking threat in trying to stretch teams and create space for players underneath but also we can play the ball into her and she can go long and attack.
“She’s really good with the ball at her feet. You could see against Washington, she’s not afraid to go 1v1 and create those chances. I think you can use Liv in many ways.”
Wingate and Gotham will travel to Inter.co Stadium to face Orlando Pride on Sunday, October 25. The 3 p.m. Eastern Time match will be carried on CBS Sports Network.
Check back Friday for an additional interview with Wingate where she details her recovery from an LCL injury.
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