With just 90 seconds left on the clock for Gotham FC to make their first pick, Kelly Ann Livingstone's heart started to sink. Her phone wasn’t ringing. They hadn’t picked her. But just when she thought it was over, Gotham assistant coach Becki Tweed’s name appeared on her cell.
As their first pick in the draft, Gotham FC had selected Livingstone, a defender out of Georgetown University. She was selected during the second round as the 24th overall pick of the evening. “It was a pretty surreal moment for me,” Livingstone told Jersey Sporting News. “When they called me, I didn’t even know what to say!”
Welcome Kelly Ann Livingstone 🥺 pic.twitter.com/Bea5pyDbEo
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) December 18, 2021
Going into draft day, Livingstone’s nerves almost got the better of her. “In the days leading up to the draft, I was definitely nervous,” Livingstone recalled. “I didn’t really sleep that much, and I didn’t know if I was going to get drafted or not!”
For Livingstone, her nerves about Draft Day were twofold. First, she wanted to be drafted into the NWSL, but second, she specifically wanted to be drafted by her home state team Gotham FC. “I was holding out hope that I would be drafted by Gotham,” Livingstone said. “It was the team I’ve always wanted to play for since I was little. Being drafted by them was a dream come true!”
Jersey Dreaming
As a native of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Livingstone has been following the NJ/NY club since her childhood. “I always wanted to play for Sky Blue, and I recently had a photo resurface of me in 2011 at one of their games,” Livingstone said, referring to the former name of Gotham FC during the WPS league.
She was only eight or nine at the time, but she knew from that moment on that she wanted to play for her local team one day. “Coming home to New Jersey/New York is really awesome, and I’m really excited for it.” As an added benefit, her friends and family will get to see her play. “Soccer in New Jersey and New York has been a powerhouse,” Livingstone said. “Sometimes people sleep on New Jersey, but I definitely don’t think that’s the case anymore!”
Kelly Ann Livingstone (left) with childhood teammates and coach at a Sky Blue FC game in 2011 (Photo provided by Kelly Ann Livingstone and Gotham FC)
Evidence of the strong soccer culture in the area can be seen in the success of Gotha FC's reserves team. Last summer, Livingstone played with the Gotham Reserves in the WPSL which was coached by Gotham’s second assistant coach Becki Tweed. “It was so nice to have that training environment going into college,” Livingstone said about her time with the Reserves. “The practices were always high intensity, and getting to know Becki Tweed was awesome.”
Livingstone is excited to continue her relationship with Tweed and meet the rest of the coaching staff at Gotham FC. “It was awesome knowing that [Becki Tweed] had probably formed practice plans based on what she had learned training with the full team,” Livingstone said. “I knew she would be someone I wanted to play for in the future.”
I’m a Jersey girl through and through, so being able to play professionally for my home state is awesome.
During her time with the Reserves, Livingstone got the chance to practice and train with the senior team. This experience sealed the deal for her on wanting to be a Gotham player. “I got to learn a little bit about their training environment and team culture,” she recalled. “As soon as I saw them in the locker room that day, I knew that was the team I wanted to play for.”
A Dream Come True
Livingstone knows she has got her work cut out for her next year, especially coming in as a center back to an already strong defensive unit. But she is not shying away from the challenge. “I’m looking forward to learning from their really experienced backline,” Livingstone said. “I’m going to go into preseason, try my best, and see what happens!” In addition to working hard both tactically and technically, Livingstone cannot wait to learn more about the other players both as teammates and friends.
In particular, Livingstone is looking forward to playing with and learning from the NWSL’s Defensive Player of the Year, Caprice Dydasco. “Dydasco is awesome as an outside back,” Livingstone said. “I’ve played a little bit as an outside back, so I’m looking forward to exploring that position more and learning from her.”
I’m looking to develop as a player and become a starter down the line - but whatever it is, I’ll be ready for it.
It’s not lost on Livingstone that she’ll be playing alongside the same players she admired while growing up. With big names like Ali Krieger and Kristie Mewis joining the team, Livingstone feels honored at the opportunity. “I’m looking forward to being able to step out onto the field with them,” Livingstone said. “It’s something I never pictured for myself, but it’s all coming true and hasn’t really set in yet.”
An important lesson Livingstone learned during her time at Georgetown was how much team culture and chemistry impact what happens on the field. Her teammates there were always supportive of each other, regardless of their seniority, and created a positive environment that led to success on the pitch.
Kelly Ann Livingstone putting the Hoyas ahead 1-0! pic.twitter.com/ZT3OcXM5u3
— Georgetown Women’s Soccer (@HoyasWSoc) November 8, 2019
“My biggest takeaway from Georgetown was learning how to be part of a team, and be a good teammate,” she said. “When you go pro and become a rookie, you don’t get that much playing time, so I am just looking forward to being a good teammate, showing up every day, and contributing whatever I can.”
Ready for Reality
With the 2022 NWSL season fast approaching, the reality of her professional career is slowly setting in, and Livingstone is focusing on her goals for the upcoming year. “I hope to play in games, and become a go-to center back,” Livingstone said. “I’m looking to develop as a player and become a starter down the line - but whatever it is, I’ll be ready for it.”
Livingstone cannot wait to get started with Gotham FC and show the fans what she can contribute to not only the team but to further developing women’s soccer. “I hope that those little girls that come to Gotham games like I did know that anything can happen if they put their minds to it,” Livingstone said. “I’m a Jersey girl through and through, so being able to play professionally for my home state is awesome.”
Without the support of her family, Livingstone would not have been able to achieve her dream. “My parents were both athletes, and they never pressured me,” she said. “They knew soccer made me happy, and that made them happy.” She also credits her success to friends and extended family who she dragged out to play soccer with her throughout the years.
Other important factors in Livingstone's success were her Georgetown teammates, as well as her coach, Dave Nolan for believing in her and helping her achieve this dream of going pro. She’s now ready to prove herself to her new team, Gotham FC.”I want to thank Becki Tweed, Scott Parkinson, and the rest of the team at Gotham FC for taking a chance on me,” Livingstone said. “I won’t let them down!”
- Mónica Flores Flourishes in Mexico - February 7, 2022
- Millstone Native Sydney Cummings Is Ready to Learn at Racing Louisville - February 1, 2022
- Star Midfielder Frankie Tagliaferri Signs with NC Courage out of Rutgers University - January 24, 2022
