NJ/NY Gotham FC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris has undergone successful surgery on her knee, announcing the news on Twitter Sunday.
“I just underwent a successful right knee surgery on Wednesday,” Harris wrote. “I will not be at todays game as I continue my recovery at home in FL. I wanted to wish the team the best of luck tonight. I will be back on the field in a few weeks.”
Hi everyone! I just underwent a successful right knee surgery on Wednesday. I will not be at todays game as I continue my recovery at home in FL. I wanted to wish the team the best of luck tonight. I will be back on the field in a few weeks. 🔋 #Yerrrr
— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) September 4, 2022
Harris’ absence is the latest in a series of setbacks for Gotham FC. The NJ/NY club currently sits last in the NWSL standings behind a 4-12-0 record. Losing their last seven games and with only six matchups remaining in the season, Gotham FC is effectively out of postseason contention.
Gotham’s end to the year is surprising given the talk of a win-now team being assembled ahead of the 2022 campaign. Key players like Kristie Mewis, Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger were signed to the team in the offseason, joining an impressive roster that includes Margaret Purce, Ifeoma Onumonu and Imani Dorsey.
The squad, however, never gelled on the pitch, with Gotham’s play often appearing disjointed and haphazard. Perhaps unsurprisingly, head coach Scott Parkinson was fired in August following a dismal run.
Gotham FC has also had to deal with shake-ups in their lineup, with Allie Long away on maternity leave, Dorsey battling injury and 2021 NWSL Defender of the Year Caprice Dydasco traded to the Houston Dash.
“For me, I know it’s frustrating and infuriating because it’s like, yes, I’ve been here for a while, and I’ve seen this club grow and want to continue to see it grow, but I also have to recognize so much change has happened in a very short amount of time and sometimes it takes a little bit for change,” Dorsey told Just Women’s Sports in July. “The level you want to get to will still take some time,” said Dorsey.
Since Parkinson’s departure, Hue Menzies has stepped up as interim head coach, hoping to give Gotham something to build on for next season.