Fresh off their 2023 NWSL Championship win, NJ/NY Gotham FC players Midge Purce, Lynn Williams, and Jenna Nighswonger have been named to the U.S. women’s national team training camp roster for a pair of international friendlies against China PR on December 2nd and 5th.
The wins just keep coming for Gotham FC. After taking home the team’s first-ever NWSL Championship earlier this month, the team will now have three players featuring for the USWNT in upcoming matches against China – including 2023 Rookie of the Year Jenna Nighswonger.
The 22-year-old has been selected as a midfielder for her first senior national team call up. Nighswonger, who featured at the youth national team level, was a key component of Gotham’s Championship run. In addition to her ROokie of the Year accoldate, she was named to the Best XI Second Team, started in 25 games and notched give goals and two assists across all competitions.
“I am very grateful and happy to have received my first call up,” Nighswonger said. “It’s been a goal of mine and I couldn’t have done it without Gotham FC.”
Purce is no stranger to the USWNT. Although she battled with injury in 2023 and missed out on a World Cup nod, she was a pivotal piece in Gotham’s Championship win. Purce notched the assists on both goals against OL Reign in the final, earning her the MVP accolade.
Purce has earned 24 caps for the USWNT and scored four goals and three assists.
Williams, who scored Gotham’s opening goal in Gotham’s 2-1 win against OL Reign in the final, is now a 4-time NWSL Championship winner. She will return to the USWNT once again where she has been a mainstay over the last three years. Williams’s performance with Gotham earned her 2023 Best XI First Team honors. She scored 10 goals and three assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
Williams has appeared 58 times for the USWNT and scored 17 goals and 12 assists.
Both USWNT matches against China PR will be broadcasted on TNT in English and Universo and Peacock in Spanish. The match in Fort Lauderdale, FL at DRV PNK Stadium on Dec. 2 will begin at 3 p.m. ET. The match in Frisco, TX at Toyota Stadium on Dec. 5 will kick off at 8 p.m. ET.