Chaos surrounded Gotham ahead Katie Stengel late in Sunday’s extra time interval when her teammate Jaedyn Shaw flicked the ball to her in house.
Stengel’s coronary heart raced and she or he gave herself a fast pep discuss, saying, “Oh simply please hit this with all of your may and preserve it on the right track.”
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Because the ball flew previous the Present goalkeeper and into the again of the web, aid overcame Stengel adopted by her teammates.
Stengel’s objective within the 121st minute lifted Gotham to a 2-1 quarterfinals win because the eighth-seeded guests pulled off an all-time playoff upset and put an finish to the Present’s historic season.
Gotham FC celebrates Katie Stengel’s game-winning objective over Kansas Metropolis on Nov. 9, 2025. NWSL through Getty Photos
Final week, midfielder Jaelin Howell mentioned Gotham was decided to “shock all people.”
That’s what they did Sunday to earn their third consecutive semifinals berth.
“It was a giant, lengthy sport and I feel it was the most effective we performed all season lengthy that I’ve seen,” Stengel mentioned. “Everybody was working properly collectively.”
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It was a dramatic ending to a sport full of spectacle.
The sport was scoreless on the half, regardless of each groups producing attractiveness.
Shaw bought Gotham on the board first after netting her first profession playoff objective within the 67th minute.
Gotham held the lead all the way in which till Ellie Wheeler tied the sport six minutes into stoppage time.
Through the temporary break between regulation and the extra-time interval, Gotham regrouped.
Jaedyn Shaw (r.) celebrates her objective with Gotham FC teammates on Nov. 9, 2025. NWSL through Getty Photos
“We actually got here collectively in that second,” Shaw mentioned, “and we actually knew that we may come out of this sport with a win.”
Gotham might not have considerably stumbled into the playoffs.
Their uncharacteristic showings down the stretch resulted in Gotham ending eighth within the league standings for the ultimate playoff spot.
Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save throughout further time of their Nov. 9 postseason win. Imagn Photos
Gotham felt outsiders have been fast to jot down them off and hand the win to the Present, who had earned this yr’s NWSL protect seven weeks prior and set a number of league data this season.
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“The desk doesn’t present how good this group is,” Shaw mentioned. “We’re not an eighth place group, and I’m, like, I’m sorry however underdog my ass. We’re not an underdog.”
However Gotham confirmed up as their finest model when it mattered most.
The logos that helped Gotham win their first championship solely two years in the past have been on full show.
Gotham confirmed relentless grit and unwavering willpower.
They didn’t in any respect look phased by the Present, who have been extensively thought of the favorites to win this yr’s championship.
They didn’t play it protected both and it paid off.
“We actually simply caught collectively via… the highs and lows,” Shaw mentioned. “It simply actually confirmed how a lot chemistry, how a lot we wish to work for one another and I feel that is just the start.”
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Gotham not solely picked up the membership’s first win towards Kansas Metropolis, however in addition they delivered the Present their first loss at CPKC Stadium this season.
With the win, Gotham advance to face the fourth-seeded and defending champion Orlando Delight in a rematch of final yr’s semifinals.
Shaw believes the most effective is but to come back for Gotham.
“It’s solely the start,” she mentioned. “That is the primary sport of three, so we’re gonna preserve pushing.”