December 12, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
HARRISON, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC today announced it has traded goalkeeper Mandy Haught to the Utah Royals in exchange for $150,000 in allocation money and expansion protection.
“It has been an honor and privilege to play for Gotham,” said Haught. “It has truly been an amazing atmosphere with the coaching staff, players, and fans. I gave it my all for this team and the fans these past three seasons. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Haught returned to Gotham FC for the 2023 season after playing the 2022 season with Piteå IF in the Damallsvenska, the top league in Sweden. She made her 2023 season debut on May 7 in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars. The goalkeeper went on to appear in seven regular-season games, recording 630 minutes, 13 saves, and two shutouts en route to Gotham FC winning the 2023 NWSL Championship.
“Mandy is an all-around amazing goalkeeper and person,” said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “She stepped up this season when her name was called upon and played a major role as we made history winning the first NWSL Championship for the club. It has been a pleasure to work with Mandy this season.”
On the road to winning the title, the goalkeeper appeared in all three 2023 NWSL Playoff matches for Gotham FC. With shutouts in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Haught became only the third goalkeeper in NWSL history to post clean sheets in her first two career playoff starts. Haught and Gotham FC went on to capture the championship with a 2-1 win over OL Reign.
“Mandy is an exceptional goalkeeper and we are very grateful for the quality she has brought to our goalkeeper department,” Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “We wish her the best of luck in this next chapter of her career and thank her for all of her contributions throughout the season.”
Before returning to Gotham FC, Haught spent the 2022 season in Sweden’s top league, where she was named Norbotten’s Female Player of the Year after starting every game, recording seven shutouts, and becoming one of only three players in the league to play every single minute. The Jacksonville, Fla. native began her professional career with Sky Blue FC after being the club’s 20th overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft.
The 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft presented by Ally is set to be held at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 15, airing nationally on CBS Sports Network.
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