Apr 29, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; North Carolina Courage defender Taylor Smith (2) dribbles the ball against Angel City FC during the first half at Banc of California Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Smith will give Gotham FC added depth on defense. (Photo courtesy of Gotham FC)

It didn’t take Taylor Smith very long to find a new team.

Only three days after being released by the North Carolina Courage, the veteran defender was claimed off of National Women’s Soccer League waivers by NJ/NY Gotham FC on Friday.

With North Carolina, she made four appearances and two starts during the 2022 regular season.

“Taylor is going to add another veteran presence to our team,” Gotham FC general manager Yael Averbuch West said in a statement. “She’s accomplished and versatile and has championship experience, which will go a long way as we continue to shape our culture.”

Smith, 28, is a seven-year NWSL veteran with two stops with the WNY Flash/North Carolina as well as a two-year stint with OL Reign (2019-20). She helped the Flash win the 2016 NWSL Championship as a rookie and has tallied two goals and four assists in her career.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Smith earned call-ups to the U.S. women’s national team in 2017-18, earning 10 caps.

 

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING: A book about the highs and lows of the Rochester Lancers

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.