Underdog Gotham FC stops Washington Spirit for NWSL championship

Gotham FC completed an unlikely underdog postseason run by winning the NWSL championship, 1-0, on Saturday, Nov. 22, in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.

The No. 8 seed Gotham FC beat the Washington Spirit for their second title in the past three years. They are the lowest seed to win an NWSL championship.

Rose Lavelle scored the only goal of the game in the 80th minute off an assist from Bruninha, for the latest opening goal in league championship history.

‘This is such special group,’ said Lavelle, who was named MVP of the championship match. ‘It was such a tough season, this is a great way to top it off.’

Gotham outshot Washington, 12-7, and had three shots on goals compared to zero for the Spirit. Gotham captain Mandy Freeman called the result ‘icing on the cake for the season.’

Gotham beat No. 1 seed Kansas City in the quarterfinals, No. 4 Orlando in the semifinals and No. 2 Washington in the championship.

The Spirit lost in the final for the second straight season. Washington fell 1-0 to the Orlando Pride to end the 2024 season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NWSL championship:

FT: Gotham 1, Washington 0

Gotham FC completes the upset and a remarkable run through the NWSL playoffs as the No. 8 seed by taking out the Washington Spirit 1-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. It’s their second title in the past three years. Rose Lavelle scored the only goal of the game in the 80th minute off a beautiful feed from Bruninha, for the latest opening goal in league championship history.

Washington was unable to mount an offense in the 90 minutes plus 5 minutes of stoppage time, as Gotham’s defense choked off passing lanes and took yellow cards in an effort to be more aggressive. The last minute of the match was marred when Trinity Rodman went down with an injury, but she made it back to her feet and walked gingerly to the bench.

Gotham strikes first

Rose Lavelle put Gotham FC on the board with a beautiful goal in the 80′, getting the ball past defender Hal Hershfelt, who minutes earlier had left the pitch with a leg injury. Washington is minutes away from a second straight defeat in the NWSL championship.

Trinity Rodman makes first appearance

Still making her way back from an MCL injury, Rodman entered the game in the 57th minute to big applause from the crowd at PayPal Park, replacing Sofia Cantore. The Spirit are hoping her presence is an offensive spark, as their chances so far in the second half have been few and far between.

HT: Gotham FC 0, Washington 0

The action is getting feisty on the pitch with multiple takedowns, but the officials have mostly kept the cards in their pockets, aside from the final minute when Lily Reale received a yellow card. Things heated up at 38′ when Midge Purce and Kate Weisner went for the ball near the right side, but Hal Hershfelt came knifing through out of nowhere, sending Purce through the air and onto her back.

There is still only one shot on goal, and Gotham controlled the action in the last five minutes of the half and three minutes of stoppage time, but came away with no chances of breaking through for the first goal of the championship.

Championship nerves quickly go away

In the first 20 minutes, both squads are forcing the issue, getting multiple chances at the goal, but are also cautious, putting pressure on whoever has control of the ball. Both teams have three shots, with only one on goal, and Gotham has a slight edge in possession.

Starting lineups

Gotham XI: Ann-Katrin Berger, Lily Reale, Jess Carter, Emily Sonnett, Mandy Freeman, Rose Lavelle, Jaelin Howell, Sarah Schupansky, Jaedyn Shaw, Esther Gonzalez, Midge Purce

Washington XI: Aubrey Kingsbury, Kate Weisner, Tara McKeown, Rebeca Bernal, Esme Morgan, Rosemonde Kouassi, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, Leicy Santos, Sofia Cantore, Gift Monday

What time is Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC?

The No. 2 Washington Spirit and the No. 8 seed Gotham FC will face off in the 2025 NWSL championship at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 22 (CBS, Paramount+) at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.

Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC: Time, streaming for NWSL semifinals

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 22
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
• Location: PayPal Park (San Jose, California)
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Fubo, Paramount+

NWSL playoff bracket

Quarterfinals

• No. 8 Gotham FC 2, No. 1 Kansas City Current 1 (extra time)
• No. 4 Orlando Pride 2, No. 5 Seattle Reign FC 0
• No. 2 Washington Spirit 1, No. 7 Racing Louisville FC 1 (Washington won 3-1 in penalties)
• No. 3 Portland Thorns FC 1, No. 6 San Diego Wave FC 0 (extra time)

Semifinals

• No. 2 Washington Spirit 2, No. 3 Portland Thorns 0
• No. 8 Gotham FC 1, No. 4 Orlando Pride 0

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