NJ/NY Gotham FC’s rise from the worst team in the NWSL last season to a semifinalist a year later comes on the back of a tactical evolution led by head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, who preaches a quick, attack-minded approach from his players. Few have embraced the task like Jenna Nighswonger, one of the league’s rookie of the year nominees.
Nighswonger was drafted out of Florida State as a forward, and seemed poised to be an option on the front line alongside the likes of Lynn Williams and Midge Purce. Instead, she is making a name for herself as a fullback and has been a mainstay on the field in a newfound role. She has played 21 games for Gotham this season, including a start in the team’s 2-0 win over the North Carolina Courage in the quarterfinals.
It helps that her tactical preferences suit the fullback role Amoros has assigned to her. The position comes with plenty of attacking responsibilities, as was the case in the game against the Courage — fullbacks Nighswonger and Bruninha were oftentimes the ones to kickstart the offensive plan on the wings, and enjoyed success doing so that day.
“I think I just like to play my position more attacking,” she said in a press conference on Thursday. “I think I do…
