Defending NWSL champions Gotham FC will hand Norwegian international winger Guro Reiten her professional debut against Bay FC on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The 31-year-old former Chelsea star joins the starting lineup as the New Jersey-based club seeks to improve its 13th-place standing following a sluggish start to the season.
Reiten arrived in New Jersey recently after securing her visa and completing international duties with Norway, where she helped her nation secure two victories in World Cup qualifiers. According to The Athletic, the winger signed a multi-year deal through 2029 following a highly successful seven-year tenure at Chelsea where she secured 13 trophies.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Reiten tells The Athletic on a video call.
The move represents a significant roster addition for Gotham FC, which has struggled offensively, scoring only two goals in its first five matches. General Manager Yael Averbuch West noted that the club utilized its scouting trip to London in January to secure Reiten’s commitment as her previous contract neared its end.
“I got some incredible memories (at Chelsea), but I felt like it was now or never, because I want to go somewhere where I can play at my best level,” Reiten says.
The club identified Reiten as a High Impact Player, allowing Gotham to utilize an additional $1 million above the salary cap starting July 1. Averbuch West emphasized that Reiten’s technical intelligence and experience were primary factors in the recruitment process.
“I normally go to different clubs and spend a lot of time there, so, hopefully, I’ve got a few more good years in me,” Reiten says.
Gotham enters the match with a 1-2-2 record and is currently dealing with several defensive injuries. While Reiten strengthens the attack, the team remains without defenders Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett, Bruninha, and Mandy Freeman for the Saturday afternoon clash.
“I played with my heart for Chelsea, and I’m gonna play with my heart for Gotham,” Reiten says.
Averbuch West indicated that while the club wanted Reiten integrated as quickly as possible, she will still have to compete for her place within the existing squad structure. The General Manager also highlighted the player’s ongoing desire for professional growth despite her veteran status.
“Hopefully I can help the team create chances and score goals and (we can) create great memories together,” Reiten says.
The match against Bay FC marks a critical juncture for Gotham, which sits just one point out of a playoff spot despite its low ranking. Captain Tierna Davidson is also slated to make her first start since returning from a long-term knee injury.
“From then on,” she said, “I knew that this was the place that I wanted to go to.”
Yael Averbuch West explained the strategic nature of the signing during a discussion with reporters regarding the team’s style of play. The general manager focused on the cultural fit and technical requirements of the NWSL champions.
“We’re always looking for players at Gotham who can fit into our style, in terms of a very intelligent player with a really high football IQ and technical ability,” Averbuch West says.
The club spent significant time convincing the Norwegian winger to relocate her family to the United States. Averbuch West noted that Reiten’s motivation remained a key selling point for the organization during their multiple meetings.
“We talked to her a number of times to try to convince her why she should consider moving her family across the world. … (She) is at a stage of her career where she is experienced, but also still looking to improve her game, which is the most important thing to us at the end of the day — that players are still hungry for more, and she very much is,” Averbuch West says.
The match will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Gotham’s current lineup features goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who enters the game one shutout away from tying 11th place in league history for clean sheets.
Gotham FC Starting Lineup vs. Bay FCPositionPlayerNumberGoalkeeperAnn-Katrin Berger30DefenderMidge Purce23DefenderJess Carter27DefenderTierna Davidson (c)15Midfielder/ForwardGuro Reiten18MidfielderJaelin Howell7MidfielderRose Lavelle16MidfielderSavannah McCaskill13ForwardJordynn Dudley2ForwardEsther González9ForwardJaedyn Shaw10