In 2023, Gotham FC marched from the ultimate playoff place all the way in which to its first franchise championship. And in 2025, they did it once more.
In a battle of the No. 2 Spirit towards the No. 8 Gotham, Gotham got here out on prime. Rose Lavelle stepped as much as lead the lowest-seeded group to a magical 1-0 win, and its second franchise championship.
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It was a really tight recreation from the beginning, because the Spirit and Gotham stayed deadlocked within the first half, with neither group in a position to break by on offense. Gotham’s main probability was a reference to Esther within the field, however was dominated offsides.
That stalemate continued properly into the second half, with Gotham holding a slight edge on possession and pictures, however unable to search out the again of the online. Till, abruptly, they did: Within the Eightieth minute, Bruninha wove the ball to Lavelle on the prime of the field, with the veteran midfielder smashing it dwelling.
Gotham has denied time and again that it’s the underdog, with Jaedyn Shaw’s immortal phrases (“Underdog my a**”) serving as a for the group. And so they have confirmed it in all through this postseason, first in within the league, then in , and now all the way in which again for a championship.
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It is a heartbreaker for the Spirit, who’ve now fallen brief in two straight NWSL finals. Trinity Rodman, , entered within the second half with the hopes of pulling Washington to the win, however as a substitute ends with a possible re-injury and a detailed, brutal loss.
It is a journey that mirror’s the group’s first title in 2023, going from the bottom playoff seed to the highest trophy within the league. And for Lavelle, it has to really feel additional candy: The midfielder was on the opposite aspect of the ultimate final time Gotham , however now will get to expertise it together with her group.
Live46 updatesSat, November 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM PST
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Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:28 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM PST
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Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM PST
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It is throughout and Gotham FC is the NWSL champion for the second time in three years.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM PST
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Rodman is down after going for the ball and touchdown awkwardly. She appears to be in quite a lot of ache and the coaching workers is on the sector. She will get up and is strolling off on her personal.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM PST
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The Gotham followers are already celebrating within the stands with simply minutes left on the clock. Bruniniha picks up a yellow card for a tough deal with mid-field on Trinity Rodman, who shakes it off. The following free kick finds Metayer contained in the field however her shot goes large left.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM PST
Kari Anderson
We have 5 minutes of stoppage time left, with Washington’s probabilities at an equalizer ticking away.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Hershfelt limped off the sector, seemingly in tears, to get her ankle taped. Washington performed down a participant for a number of minutes earlier than Hershfelt got here again on the sector, seemingly gritting it out. However proper after Lavelle despatched Gotham forward, Hershfelt was taken off for Deborah Abiodun.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM PST
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Sat, November 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Lastly, somebody is ready to break the stalemate, with Rose Lavelle stepping up for an enormous Eightieth-minute aim.
Bruninha will get some fancy footwork within the field earlier than sending the cross to Lavelle, who comes out of nowhere to ship it dwelling. Gotham is now up 1-0, with ten-plus minutes left.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Hal Hershfelt is down, grabbing her ankle, and gradual to rise up. Trainers are out as she stays on her knees.
Hershfelt appeared to twist her ankle whereas getting the ball from Rose Lavelle.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Washington will get three nook kicks in a row, organising some key set items that might assist the Spirit break by, however none of them are connecting as Gotham stays in management.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM PST
Kari Anderson
The offensive probabilities on this half have proven somewhat bit extra management and initiative, however some wonderful protection has saved issues even to date.
Gotham is outshooting the Spirit 10-6, however there’s nonetheless just one shot on aim on this recreation.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Bruninha is available in to exchange Lily Reale, with Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós opting to take out Reale earlier than she dangers one other potential second yellow.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:41 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Lily Reale received away with one there, getting some late contact on Reward Monday. Reale, who’s already on a yellow, most likely ought to have gotten a second yellow there, however will get away with only a foul; she does get a talking-to from the referee although, earlier than Washington take the free kick.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM PST
Kari Anderson
Rodman is in to revitalize the Spirit’s offense, changing Sofia Cantore within the 57th minute.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM PST
Kari Anderson
What a run from the Spirit, who get some very harmful appears to be like within the field, earlier than Emily Sonnett breaks it up with an unbelievable defensive slide.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:33 PM PST
Kari Anderson
It has been a chippy recreation to date, which is to be anticipated in a championship. But it surely’ll be attention-grabbing to see how for much longer till the officers begin curbing a number of the on-field warmth with yellow playing cards.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM PST
Kari Anderson
With the second half now beginning, each groups can be attempting to interrupt the 0-0 stalemate. But when they are not in a position to, the sport will transfer to additional time, adopted by penalty kicks.
Because the NWSL’s first season in 2013, solely two championship video games have gone to additional time — together with the Spirit’s 2021 win. Just one has gone to PKs; that one additionally concerned Washington, who misplaced to the Western New York Flash within the 2016 last.
Sat, November 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM PST
Kari Anderson
We’re even after the primary half, with each groups locked in an offensive stalemate. Gotham has a slight edge on possession (53%) and pictures (5, to Washington’s three), however there have not been many significant probabilities within the first 45 minutes. Solely considered one of Gotham’s pictures has been heading in the right direction, whereas the Spirit have not gotten shut sufficient.