Midge Purce: The Inspiring Life and Football Journey of a Gotham FC Star

Margaret “Midge” Williams-Purce is one of the most compelling figures in modern American soccer. Known for her intelligence, versatility, and relentless energy, she has become a central figure in the NWSL with Gotham FC and an established name on the U.S. Women’s National Team. Her story is not just about goals and championships, but about resilience, advocacy, and carving out a place in the sport on her own terms.

This is the story of her journey — from her Maryland roots, through Harvard classrooms and Ivy League stadiums, into the professional spotlight of the NWSL and onto the world stage with the USWNT. Along the way, she has become an emblem of dedication and identity, even marked by the subtle but consistent black headband she wears on the pitch.

Early Life in Maryland

Born on September 18, 1995, in Silver Spring, Maryland, Purce grew up in Olney. Her childhood was infused with sport, family, and community. She started playing soccer at a young age, inspired partly by her older brother, who also played competitively. Their backyard and local fields became proving grounds where Midge honed her technique, speed, and determination.

By the time she reached Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, her natural talent was undeniable. She was a multi-sport athlete but soccer was where her star truly shone. In 2012, she was named Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, an accolade given not just for athletic excellence but also for academic achievement and character. Twice she earned NSCAA All-American honors, cementing her reputation as one of the top young players in the country.

College recruiters came calling, but Purce had her sights set on both athletic and academic rigor. Harvard University became the perfect stage for both.

Harvard: Balancing Brains and Brilliance on the Pitch

When Purce arrived at Harvard in 2013, she immediately transformed the Crimson women’s soccer team. Playing as a forward, she combined technical precision with a fearless attacking mindset. In her freshman season, she led the Ivy League in scoring and was named Rookie of the Year.

Over her four years, Purce tallied 42 goals in 69 appearances. She twice earned Ivy League Player of the Year (2015, 2016) and in her senior year was named First Team All-America. Her performances made her one of the most decorated players in Ivy League history.

But Harvard wasn’t only about soccer. Purce majored in psychology, balancing an intense academic load with her athletic commitments. Friends and teammates recall her work ethic as unmatched — early mornings in the library, afternoons on the pitch, evenings filled with leadership roles and community engagement.

Her time in Cambridge shaped her broader worldview. She began to see herself not just as a footballer, but as a potential leader and advocate for change. That perspective would carry into her professional career.

Professional Beginnings: Boston Breakers

In 2017, Purce declared for the NWSL College Draft and was selected ninth overall by the Boston Breakers. Entering the professional game was both exciting and daunting, but she quickly proved she could compete at the highest level.

Her rookie season saw her appear in 22 matches, scoring her first professional goal. Fans noticed her versatility — she could play as a striker, winger, or even deeper if needed. The Breakers’ coaches often relied on her adaptability to plug gaps in the lineup.

Unfortunately, the Breakers folded in early 2018, a heartbreaking moment for players and fans alike. A dispersal draft redistributed the roster, and Purce was picked up by the Portland Thorns.

Portland Thorns: Reinvention and Breakthrough

Portland is one of the NWSL’s most storied clubs, with a passionate fan base and high expectations. Purce’s arrival came with the challenge of adapting to a new environment and, surprisingly, a new position. Coaches often deployed her as a right back, asking her to focus on defensive duties while still contributing to the attack.

Though not her natural role, Purce embraced the challenge. She learned quickly, and her athleticism made her a capable defender. But when she was moved further up the field in 2019, her attacking instincts reignited. She scored five goals in five matches during a standout stretch, reminding everyone of her sharp eye for goal.

Her versatility became her trademark: a player who could adapt, sacrifice, and thrive wherever she was needed. That quality would define the next phase of her career.

Gotham FC: Rising to Stardom

In 2020, Purce was traded to Sky Blue FC (later rebranded as NJ/NY Gotham FC). This move proved transformative. Given a more consistent attacking role, she flourished.

The pinnacle came in 2023 when Gotham FC captured their first-ever NWSL Championship. In the final, Purce delivered two assists and was named Championship MVP. Her composure, creativity, and work rate were vital to Gotham’s triumph.

It was a defining moment: Purce was no longer just a versatile utility player — she was a champion and one of the league’s most influential forwards.

U.S. Women’s National Team

Purce’s international career has been steady and significant. She represented the U.S. at U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels before making her senior debut in 2019.

Though competition for roster spots is fierce, she has carved out a place with her consistency, athleticism, and tactical flexibility. She has contributed goals, assists, and strong performances in tournaments like the SheBelieves Cup and CONCACAF Women’s events.

For many fans, her inclusion symbolizes the evolving depth and diversity of the USWNT.

Advocacy and Leadership Off the Pitch

Midge Purce’s influence extends beyond soccer. In 2020, she was elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers, supported by the Harvard Forward movement that sought to bring younger voices and more diversity into university governance.

She is also a co-founder and board member of the Black Women’s Players Collective, a nonprofit that creates opportunities for Black girls in sport and advocates for equity within football and beyond.

Purce has become a sought-after voice in conversations about racial justice, gender equity, and the future of women’s sports. Her articulate advocacy shows that she is as comfortable at a podium as she is on the pitch.

Style and Identity: The Signature Headband

Every athlete has a detail that fans remember. For Purce, it is often the simple black headband she wears in matches. Subtle yet consistent, it has become part of her playing identity.

On a practical level, it keeps her hair in place during 90 minutes of sprinting, pressing, and attacking. But it has also become a small, recognizable trademark — a visual signal of her presence on the field. For supporters, that glimpse of a headband darting down the wing has become synonymous with energy, intent, and determination.

The Person Behind the Player

Beyond sport, Purce is thoughtful, ambitious, and multifaceted. She once considered pursuing law and still speaks passionately about systemic change. She is also creative, contributing to projects like The Offseason, a storytelling series that highlights NWSL players’ lives outside the game.

Her teammates describe her as both fiercely competitive and deeply supportive — someone who demands excellence while also lifting others around her.

Legacy in Progress

At just 29 years old, Midge Purce’s story is still being written. She has already achieved more than many dream of: Ivy League stardom, a professional championship, international honors, and impactful advocacy work.

Yet she speaks often about unfinished business — more titles to win, more girls to inspire, more change to create.

Her life and career embody balance: brains and athleticism, humility and ambition, personal style (like that signature headband) and public purpose.

For fans of women’s soccer, Purce represents the modern player: not just a scorer or a defender, but a leader, advocate, and symbol of what the game can become.