Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros is taking a seven-week parental leave of absence to support his family following the birth of his second child, the club announced Monday. Amoros, whose child was born in April, will be absent from the team during a critical part of the National Women's Soccer League season.
"This is a personal decision for our family, but I also recognize the visibility that comes with my role," Amoros said in a statement. "When fathers take parental leave, particularly men in leadership positions, it helps normalize an important principle: Caring for children is a shared responsibility between parents. I need to be there for my family."
Gotham FC president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West expressed the club's support, stating, "We are proud to be a club that recognizes that creating an equitable environment requires supporting all parents. We appreciate that Juan is using his platform to reinforce that message."
Lead assistant coach Shaun Harris will serve as acting head coach during Amoros' absence. Harris has previously stepped in as acting head coach for three matches this season, leading the team to victories against Chicago and Seattle. He will take over starting Friday against the Portland Thorns. Sean Nahas, a consultant for Gotham and former North Carolina coach, will assume a larger role as the club’s interim director of methodology.
Amoros is expected to return to Gotham in early September. The team has been performing well recently, winning four of its past five matches and currently sits tied with the Washington Spirit for first place in the NWSL standings. This success includes a recent win in the inaugural Queens Classic at Citi Field and a comeback victory against the Seattle Reign.