It was an ACL injury that left Midge Purce out of not just the Olympics but the NWSL for almost an entire season.
Now the star has returned and is a key part of Gotham FC, which is at the top of the league standings yet again.
Coming off a 2023 NWSL Championship MVP, Purce was poised to make her mark. Then, she suffered the ACL injury during a 2024 match against the Thorns. It left her out of the lineup for over a year.
Upon her return in 2025, she had over 35 crosses and added a goal and assist during another championship campaign for Gotham.
Now in 2026, Purce has stayed healthy and continued to handle business as a strong ball handler. Her steady time on the field will continue to keep Gotham as a leader in the league.
Purce herself has been a visible part of not just Gotham but the NWSL as a whole.
In 2021, she spoke at the White House with President Joe Biden and spoke up on equal pay. In 2025, while starring on the field for Gotham, she performed on Broadway in a one-night-only performance in Chicago.
The NWSL needs to have stars outside of the Women's National Team . She has many appearances with the team that won the 2024 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
However, due to injuries and a stacked field, she has fallen off the radar.
That does not mean her star power is not burning bright. As she continues to make appearances outside the field, this will only reinforce her as a celebrity.
What many of today's athletes do not realize is that what makes them special is what they do in their sport. Purce has succeeded not just in marketing but on the pitch.
Now, if she can stay healthy, she will be an important part of Gotham's plans. They are hoping to become the first back-to-back champions since the ill-fated North Carolina Courage from 2018 and 2019.
If they can claim the title, it would be Purce's third ring and third title for the organization. They would match the Portland Thorns for the most NWSL championships in history.
For fans of Gotham, they no doubt will expect Midge Purce to be a part of those plans. Her health will be key. She has been strong this season.
The World Cup break may have contributed to that rest. Now she has a chance to move forward just as strong for the rest of the season.
This article was originally published on www.mlsmultiplex.com as Has Gotham FC star Midge Purce returned to her best since her 2024 injury? .
