Sports
Michelle Betos Retires, Leaving a Legacy at Gotham FC

HARRISON, NJ – Gotham FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos, a cornerstone of Hudson County’s premier soccer club, has announced her retirement from professional soccer. Her 15-year career in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) concluded with a memorable stint in Harrison, where she became a leader both on and off the field.
Betos, who joined Gotham FC in 2022, quickly became a fan favorite for her reliability in goal and her leadership. Named team captain in 2024, she helped guide Gotham FC to its first NWSL Championship in 2023. In her three seasons with the club, she played 18 games, recorded 71 saves, and secured two shutouts, leaving an indelible mark on the team and its supporters.
“When I left college and began chasing this childhood dream, the one thing I knew would be required, and I knew I could control, is that I was going to give everything I had to this,” Betos said in a statement. “Walking away 15 years later, I can honestly say I did that and so much more.”
Betos’ impact extended well beyond Hudson County. Over her NWSL career, she represented several teams, including Portland Thorns FC, where she was named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015 and made history as the first goalkeeper to score a goal in league history. She retires ranked among the league’s best, with 96 career appearances, 385 saves (9th all-time), and 19 clean sheets.
“Michelle Betos has been an invaluable part of Gotham FC, both on and off the field,” said Gotham FC General Manager Yael Averbuch West. “Thank you, Michelle, for everything you’ve given to this club and to the sport! PS: Now you can never score on me again.”