When Jaedyn Shaw started the calendar 12 months, she absolutely anticipated it to finish in California, although it isn’t doubtless she figured she’d be sporting a Gotham FC jersey or that it was as a result of she had helped the membership attain its second NWSL Championship sport in three years.
However that was the case after Shaw scored the game-winning objective in stoppage time to elevate Gotham to a 1-0 win over the Orlando Satisfaction within the NWSL semifinals Sunday. Gotham will face the Washington Spirit subsequent weekend in San Jose, Calif., for the NWSL title.
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Shaw scored within the seventh minute of stoppage time after being awarded a free kick 5 yards outdoors the penalty space and sending the ball simply previous the leg of teammate Midge Purce and Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
“I knew precisely the place I needed to place it. I knew precisely what I wanted to do to place it there,” Shaw mentioned. “Everybody within the line actually messed with their line and threw Moorhouse off a bit of bit. That basically helps me, however I imply, it comes all the way down to everyone doing their little 1 p.c to assist get the objective.”
The successful tally was the second objective Shaw has scored throughout Gotham’s playoff run this 12 months — she tallied the opening strike final weekend in opposition to Kansas Metropolis — and got here after the membership acquired her in early September.
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Shaw started 2025 as a member of the San Diego Wave earlier than being traded to North Carolina after which once more to Gotham.
Gotham FC celebrates Jaedyn Shaw’s objective of their NWSL semifinal win over Orlando on Nov. 16, 2025. NWSL through Getty Pictures
“It’s all the time enjoyable to sort of look again on the 12 months, and I believe the quantity of adversity that I confronted early on within the 12 months I believe has formed me to what you’re seeing within the current day,” Shaw mentioned. “Simply grateful for all of the highs and lows. I believe being on the Braveness has taught me a lot, being on the Wave has taught me a lot and even being now at Gotham, I really feel like I’m studying a lot each single day and turning into a greater participant. I really feel like they get the very best out of me.”
Shaw’s stoppage-time objective helped Gotham keep away from what seemed to be a match destined to transcend the 90 minutes that Orlando and Gotham already had performed.
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Gotham held a slight edge in possession through the semifinal, however Orlando compelled goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to be at her finest, which included having to make a game-saving cease moments after Shaw scored.
A ball was dangerously despatched into the field off a free kick that was headed by Oihane Hernández and seemed destined to search out the again of the web.
Berger managed to dive over and punch the ball away, and moments later, the ultimate whistle was blown.
“I all the time say the arduous work pays off, and the work that we’ve completed all 12 months is paying off in these final couple of video games,” Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós mentioned. “I believe it is a particular second for us and need to take pleasure in right this moment, however to take pleasure in the entire week. Take pleasure in the entire week of preparation going into the championship.”
Jaedyn Shaw (2) celebrates her late objective with Gotham FC teammates throughout their NWSL semifinal win over Orlando on Nov. 16, 2025. NWSL through Getty Pictures
Now, Gotham will flip its focus to Washington, which has gotten the higher of them this 12 months with a 1-0-2 report.
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And Amorós is aware of there received’t be any surprises for both membership, having seen one another a lot.
“They acquired a transparent fashion. It’s two engaging groups which might be gonna actually go on the market to win,” he mentioned. “I believe they’ve additionally been actually good in how they’ve gone by means of all year long. Hopefully, we are able to get that trophy going to New York now.”