Midge Purce was cleared to return for Gotham FC after spending 13 months recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Coach Juan Carlos Amoros confirmed on 11 April 2025 that the USWNT forward was available again after a long rehabilitation.
Purce completes a year-long recovery
Purce suffered the injury against Portland Thorns on 24 March 2024 and missed the rest of Gotham’s season.
Amoros credited Purce, her teammates and the club’s medical and performance staff for the work behind her return.
He described the forward as a special player who could decide matches in the final third.
Forward expects to come back stronger
Purce said the injury had been devastating for a competitor but also described the recovery as a powerful and rewarding journey.
She did not want merely to regain her previous level. Purce said she had decided early in the process that she would return as a significantly better player.
The 2023 NWSL Championship MVP had re-signed with Gotham on a one-year deal after becoming a free agent.
Gotham regain a proven match-winner
Purce entered the season with five goals in 30 appearances for the United States.
She also assisted both goals when Gotham beat OL Reign 2-1 to win the 2023 NWSL Championship, the club’s first league title.
Her return provided a timely lift after Gotham began 2025 with two draws and one defeat. Captain Tierna Davidson had also been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
