Jess Carter has had the kind of year most footballers can only dream about. The England defender won three major trophies in just 181 days. That's the Concacaf W Champions Cup with Gotham FC in May, the European Championship with England in July, and the NWSL Championship with Gotham in November.
But for Carter, the celebrations meant more than just silverware. During Gotham's championship parade through Manhattan, she spotted a young boy in the crowd holding a sign for her fiancée, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. "He was just so excited to see us," Carter told The Athletic. "We've always talked about inspiring little girls, but that's a little boy looking up to us. That was a really beautiful moment."
The 28-year-old joined Gotham last summer after six years at Chelsea, where she won five Women's Super League titles. Moving to the NWSL was a massive adjustment, but Carter quickly became a key player in Gotham's backline. And for anyone betting on women's football, her impact shows just how important experienced defenders are in championship runs.
Adapting to the NWSL's Physical Style
Carter says the NWSL is unlike anything she experienced in Europe. "The athleticism here is unmatched," she explained. "Everybody seems to be super strong and super fast. In Europe, I competed more comfortably for strength and pace. Here, everything has to be spotless or you get punished."
The league is evolving too. Teams that once played more direct football are now building from the back and playing more technically. That tactical shift, combined with world-class players from every continent, makes the NWSL increasingly competitive - something punters should note when assessing match outcomes.
Carter's summer triumph with England came with serious challenges. She faced racist abuse online from the tournament's start. Two days before England's semifinal against Italy, she posted on Instagram condemning the abuse and stepped away from social media.
Fighting Abuse and Inspiring Others
"It was really tough," Carter admitted. "You don't want to let those people win. It's only getting worse in the women's game, and that's something we don't want to be part of our game."
Her sister encouraged her to speak out, asking how she'd feel if it happened to her nieces, nephews, or teammates. "I've got mixed-race nieces and nephews. It's not just about me," Carter said. "It's for all the little boys and girls looking up to me or trying to find anybody that looks like them."
Two men have been arrested in connection with the abuse. One will be charged with making malicious communications. Carter sees this as crucial progress. "When people see there's repercussions to their actions, they just might second-guess what they say," she said.
England's Euros victory felt different for Carter this time. She played a bigger role on the pitch after the team opened with a shock loss to France before bouncing back with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands. They eventually defeated World Cup winners Spain in the final.
"What I'm most proud of is staying true to myself in that whole experience," Carter reflected. "It's not even just the win. It's the fight, the determination that all of us showed."
Gotham's championship run mirrored England's journey. They entered the playoffs in the final qualifying spot and pulled off the year's biggest upset by defeating Kansas City Current - statistically the best NWSL team ever. They then beat Washington Spirit in the final, avenging last year's heartbreaking semifinal penalty shootout loss.
Carter's offseason will be short. Gotham qualified for FIFA's inaugural Women's Champions Cup by winning the Concacaf tournament. They'll face Brazilian club Corinthians in the semifinal on January 28 in west London, with the final at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on February 1.
"The NWSL deserves to be recognized, and it's a great opportunity for us to do that in London," Carter said. For bettors watching women's football, Gotham's form and championship pedigree make them serious contenders in this global competition.
Through racism, pressure, and grueling schedules, Carter kept winning. Three championships in 181 days proves what she's capable of when staying true to herself.
