Gotham D Emily Sonnett (left knee) out for season

Field Level Media|published: Fri 31st July, 12:48 2026

Jul 4, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Gotham FC defender Emily Sonnett (6) comes down field during the second half against the San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

U.S. women's national team defender Emily Sonnett will miss the rest of the NWSL season for Gotham FC following knee surgery.

Gotham announced Friday that Sonnett, 32, underwent surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in her left knee. She sustained the injury in the first half of last Friday's 2-2 draw against the host Portland Thorns.

"Emily has the full support of everyone at the club, and we will be with her every step of the way throughout her recovery," president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West said. "She is incredibly resilient, and we know she will return stronger."

The team did not provide a projected recovery timeline for Sonnett, whose participation in the 2027 Women's World Cup could be in jeopardy. That tournament begins next June in Brazil.

Sonnett has helped Gotham secure three trophies since joining the squad in 2024, winning the NWSL Championship and Concacaf W Champions Cup in 2025 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2026.

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NWSL Draft, Sonnett is in her 10th season in the league. She has recorded six goals and four assists in 180 career matches (174 starts) with Portland (2016-19), the Washington Spirit (2021-22), Seattle Reign (2023) and Gotham.

Internationally, she has made 118 appearances for the USWNT and helped to win the 2019 Women's World Cup and 2024 Olympic gold medal.

--Field Level Media

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