Nearly seven years after stepping away, Sinead Farrelly is back in the NWSL.
The 33-year-old retired in December 2016, but after over six years away from the sport — and playing an enormous part in massive changes around the league — Farrelly has signed a one-year contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC that comes with an option year for 2024.
“I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received to help me reach this point, because I could not have done this alone,” Farrelly said in a team release. “I want to be a key player for Gotham FC, while also having grace and compassion with myself as I acclimate back into the professional environment.
“There were times when this did not feel possible for me. But I have made it to this moment, and I’m going to keep building on it. As I continue, I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter how far out of reach they may seem.”
An unlikely return
Farrelly debuted as a pro in the final season of WPS, playing for the Philadelphia Independence in 2011, before joining FC Kansas City as the NWSL began play in 2013. Farrelly was traded to the Portland Thorns, playing there for two years, then moving on to the Boston Breakers for 2016. Her NWSL rights were picked up by the Seattle Reign after the season, but coming off of major off-field turmoil and a car accident that left her injured for that final season, she opted to retire instead.
No matter what Farrelly achieves with Gotham FC, she will go down as one of the most important players in NWSL history. In August and September 2021, she — along with Mana Shim and Kaiya McCullough — came forward to detail some horrific abuse against coaches Paul Riley and Richie Burke. Those reports were followed by league-wide player protests that included postponing one round of league matches and on-field shows of solidarity when play resumed.
It’s fair to say that the NWSL of 2023, taking some first true steps towards being a more healthy, safe league to play in, does not exist without that trio coming forward. Their allegations sparked investigations into league misconduct from former attorney general Sally Yates and one conducted jointly by the NWSL Players’ Association and the league itself. The league’s commissioner and legal counsel at the time both would go on to resign, while further abuses from coaches were uncovered.
The changes instituted since then have forced improvement in virtually every department related to being a professional league. Whether that means enforcing background checks on coaches, or finding new ownership groups that have the resources to create a truly professional environment, the league has grown by leaps and bounds over a very short time. It’s hard to say when, if ever, these changes would have come to pass without the bravery of players who came forward to demand a safe environment.
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