Sinead Farrelly joins Gotham FC after eight years away from NWSL

Nearly eight years after playing in her last NWSL match, Sinead Farrelly is coming back. 

The midfielder will join Gotham FC ahead of the 2023 campaign, signing a one-year contract with the option to extend. She initially attended the Gotham FC training camp as a non-roster invitee before finalizing a deal for the season. 

“I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received to help me reach this point, because I could not have done this alone. I can’t even imagine doing this with another club except Gotham FC. My teammates, the coaches and the staff are amazing. The environment has been professional and so enjoyable. I’m beyond excited for this season with this team. We have such a unified and passionate group and we’re ready to put on a show and win,” said Farrelly. 

“I want to be a key player for Gotham FC, while also having grace and compassion with myself as I acclimate back into the professional environment. There were times when this did not feel possible for me. But I have made it to this moment, and I’m going to keep building on it. As I continue, I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter how far out of reach they may seem.”

The player returns to actions after playing an integral role in exposing the systemic, league-wide abuse. In September 2021, she went public with her experience of sexual harassment at the hand of former Portland Thorns head coach Paul Riley, inspiring independent investigations to be held by the league. 

The allegations made by Farrely, and former Thorns teammate Mana Shim, prompted the firing of Riley by the North Carolina Courage and the opening of wider abuse investigations by the NWSL and its players association as well as U.S. Soccer. 

After experiencing the abuse in 2015, she announced her retirement from the game completely to heal.

“It took me years away from the game to gain the awareness of how power imbalance works and to be able to tell people close to me what happened,” she told The Athletic. 

Now, the player can return knowing she helped change the course of the NWSL and propelled the implementation of laws and committees designed to keep players safe.

“Sinead is not only an outstanding athlete, but one of the most admired people in our sport,” Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West said in the release. 

“She came into camp and earned a contract with her outstanding play. I know she sees this as just a first step, but everyone at Gotham FC is incredibly proud to be part of Sinead’s journey, and excited about all of the great qualities she brings to our team.”