Reigning Concacaf W Champions Cup champion Gotham FC returns to the continental stage Wednesday night with another trip to the final on the line, facing newly crowned Liga MX Femenil champion Club América Femenil in the 2025-26 Concacaf W Champions Cup semifinal at Estadio Hidalgo.
Gotham enters the semifinal seeking to become the first club to repeat as Concacaf W Champions Cup winners after capturing the inaugural title last season. The Bats once again navigated the group stage unbeaten, finishing second in Group B with a 3-0-1 record, advancing on the strength of wins over Monterrey, Alianza Women FC and Vancouver Rise FC Academy alongside a scoreless draw against rivals Washington Spirit.
Gotham opened group play with a 2-1 victory over Monterrey behind goals from Bruninha and Khyah Harper before defeating Alianza Women FC 2-0 through strikes from Geyse and Kayla Duran. The club then produced its most dominant performance of the tournament in a 4-1 win over Vancouver Rise FC Academy, with Josefine Hasbo, Katie Lampson, Esther González and Bruninha all finding the back of the net. Gotham closed the group stage with a 0-0 draw against the Spirit, ultimately finishing behind Washington on goal difference alone.
Club América also advanced unbeaten from the group stage, posting a 3-0-1 record to finish atop Group A. América arrives in the semifinal full of confidence after winning the Liga MX Femenil title on Sunday, rallying for a 3-0 victory over Monterrey in the second leg of the final to overturn a first-leg deficit and secure a 3-1 aggregate championship triumph.
Wednesday’s match serves as a rematch of last year’s Concacaf W Champions Cup semifinal, when Gotham defeated América 3-1 at Estadio Universitario to book a place in the tournament final. Gotham eventually lifted the trophy and now has an opportunity to defend its continental crown while earning another berth in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Defender Tierna Davidson emphasized the importance of containing América’s dangerous attack, particularly former Gotham forward Geyse.
“In watching film from them, they’re a very aggressive team,” Davidson said. “They’ve got a great offensive presence, especially with our former teammate Geyse. She’s someone we’re keeping an eye on to make sure we contain. They’re a team that likes to be creative and decisive in their offensive play. As a defender, that’s something we know we need to contain in order to control the game.”
Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós highlighted América’s experience and the challenge awaiting Gotham in Mexico.
“With Sandra Paños in goal, with Isa Haas, with Gabriela García, with Scarlett Camberos and Geyse, they built a spine that is very strong,” Amorós said. “We need to make sure that we can be dominant with the ball, control those threats and make sure that we get those three points because this game for us is massive.”
Amorós also stressed the significance of Gotham once again representing the NWSL in the latter stages of the competition.
“For us, it’s an honor and a privilege to be the only American team that is able to repeat in both semifinals after winning last year,” Amorós said. “We want to repeat that and represent Concacaf again in the FIFA Champions Cup.”
The winner of Wednesday’s semifinal will advance to Saturday’s Concacaf W Champions Cup final against either the Washington Spirit or CF Pachuca Femenil, while the losing sides will meet in the third-place match.
