Mayor Eric Adams: Unbelievable, unbelievable victory. And you gotta– whenever you play sports, you know you gotta play through the hecklers and just stay focused and keep [at] it. That's how you win. You don't win when you worry about the haters. You win when you stay dedicated to the mission.
So, I want to thank you, Ari. History has been made. Gotham FC are our National Women's Soccer League champions. Job well done. The batch has brought the cup to New York City once again. Juan Carlos, you and your team have made this city so proud. This team showed that the hopes and dreams of New Yorkers, of the entire Garden State region in New York, and it showed time and time again that you never can be counted out because you have the New York City grit, resiliency, and determination.
You have inspired thousands of soccer fans and young girls and boys to believe in themselves, to be brave, to be bold, and to be fierce. Fueled by the team’s slogan, “Always build, never finish,” and the unofficial coin, “Underdogs my [].”
You have built a winning team, one match at a time. We saw the mentality all season, culminating in the number eight playoff seed, number eight playoff seed. Beating the naysayers and the number one team in the league to make it to the championship game. And we saw it in that thrilling final. This is no team of underdogs. This is a team of champions.
The leadership of Captain Mandy Freeman showed how 24 teammates can bring home the trophy. This was a victory built by 24 players, and it's one built by the fans. You can't win it without the fans, so thank you fans for cheering them on throughout the entire season.
The diehards in the stadium seats, the fans in their jerseys and scarves and at the pubs and bars, the families cheering in living rooms. This was a victory for all ages. You showed us that women's football is a dominant sport in our nation and belongs on the biggest stage.
Each and every one of you understands that being a champion doesn't stop when you step off the field. You are teaching young women today they can be champions too, and you proved it. Leading the fight for equal rights, equal pay and equal access for all through your Keep Her in the Game program, which supports and empowers girls and their soccer coaches. You are helping make things better and easier for the next generation of soccer stars.
This all happens when we invest in women's and women's sports. When we invest, we all win. We must continue to create better opportunities and outcomes for our sisters across the nation. Thank you for all you do for women in New York City and New Jersey. This team is what New York and the Garden State are all about.
And this region can't wait to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031. We're bringing the biggest sporting events to the biggest stage, New York, New Jersey. There's nowhere that better captures the breadth and diversity of the world's greatest game. This investment in Gotham FC's championship proves the future of the beautiful game is right here in New York City. And I want to hear one more deafening roar for our champions, Gotham FC.
Now, we honor this team of champions with the highest honor New York City gives, the key to the City of New York. On behalf of 8.5 million New Yorkers, congratulations to the National Women's Soccer League champions.
###