Gotham FC Trades Forward Lynn Williams and Goalkeeper Cassie Miller for Midfielder Jaelin Howell, Allocation Money, and International Roster Spot from Seattle Reign FC

HARRISON, NJ (Friday, December 20, 2024) - NJ/NY Gotham FC today announced it has traded forward Lynn Williams and goalkeeper Cassie Miller to Seattle Reign FC in exchange for midfielder Jaelin Howell, $70,000 in allocation money and a 2025 international roster spot.

“I am so excited to be joining Gotham, as it has proven to be an elite, championship-caliber club,” said Howell. “It is exactly what I am looking for at this point in my career, and I am eager to help the team further in its success. I can’t wait to get started and work with the incredible staff and world-class players!”

Howell started the 2024 season with Racing Louisville FC before being traded to Seattle in August, where she played in eight matches. With Racing in 2023, Howell was named captain and started in 19 of her 21 appearances. The Lone Tree, Colorado native began her career with Louisville, where she was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft from Florida State University. Additionally, the midfielder has earned five caps and scored one goal with the U.S. Women's National Team.

“Jaelin is a strong and crafty midfielder, and we are very excited to have her join the club,” said Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “We also would like to sincerely thank Lynn and Cassie for all of their contributions to the club. We wish them nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

In her two seasons with Gotham FC, Williams played in 35 matches, recording 28 starts, 11 goals and four assists. On May 19, 2024, Williams broke the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) all-time record for most goals across all competitions. In 2023, Williams led the team with seven goals and started in every playoff match en route to the club’s 2023 NWSL Championship title. Williams scored the opening goal in the championship match in the 24th minute, helping the club lift its first NWSL Championship title.

“As sad as I am to be leaving Gotham, I am more thankful,” said Williams. “I am thankful for all the great moments and memories I will be taking with me. Thank you to the fans for fully accepting me. I felt grateful to be able to play the game I love so much in front of you. Thank you to my teammates. I will miss silly locker room moments and all of us trying our best to live up, and falling short, to Mandy Freeman’s style. We never know where this beautiful game is going to take us, but I have immense gratitude that it brought me through the doors of Gotham FC. One last time, GO BATS!”

Miller started nine matches in the 2024 season, including one appearance in the NWSL Challenge Cup, and four appearances in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. In July, Miller recorded six saves in two games played with a 100% save percentage, allowing zero goals and registering two clean sheets, earning a spot in the NWSL’s Best XI of the Month. Miller also recorded a clean sheet in the semifinal match in a 1-0 win over Angel City FC.

“I am so grateful that I ended up in NJ/NY,” said Miller. “The fans and community embraced me and it has been so much fun to play in front of Cloud 9 and all the supporters. I also want to thank the club for everything. Getting a chance to play for such an incredible organization was a dream. A big thank you to the front office, staff, and my teammates. As my time at Gotham comes to a close, I’m excited to embrace this next chapter. Gotham will always be a special place for me.”

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