SAN JOSE — For the second time in three seasons, Gotham FC lifted the NWSL Championship trophy, defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night at PayPal Park to claim the 2025 NWSL Championship.
Entering the postseason as the No. 8 seed, Gotham became the lowest seed in league history to win the NWSL title. The Bats’ playoff run was a storybook journey. In the quarterfinals, they stunned the top-seeded Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time, with Katie Stengel scoring the winner in the 121st minute after a flick-on from Jaedyn Shaw. In the semifinals, Gotham faced the defending champions, Orlando Pride, in a tense back-and-forth match. Gotham’s defense held firm, and in stoppage time, Shaw delivered a curling free kick that bounced into the box, finding the net past Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse for a dramatic 1-0 win.
The club previously captured the 2023 championship as the No. 6 seed, and with Saturday’s victory, head coach Juan Carlos Amorós earned his seventh playoff win, extending his league record and joining Vlatko Andonovski as the only coaches to win two NWSL championships in their first two attempts and just the third manager in NWSL history to win multiple championships.
Gotham came out aggressive from the opening whistle of the final. Shaw fired an audacious attempt straight from kickoff, forcing Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury to react quickly. Shaw stayed active early, taking two more shots inside the first 10 minutes as the Bats pressed high and dictated the tempo.
The Bats appeared to have the breakthrough when Jaelin Howell and Shaw combined to set up Esther González for a clean finish, but the flag went up for offside. Washington responded through Rosemonde Kouassi, whose speed and strength created the Spirit’s first real danger. Her direct runs forced Lilly Reale into a yellow card as the physical tone of the match grew. Gotham nearly found a late first-half goal when Shaw chested down a cross for González, but Tara McKeown’s block kept the match scoreless at halftime, just the third NWSL Championship final ever to be scoreless at the break.
Washington emerged stronger after the break, again leaning on Kouassi’s ability to stretch the field. In the 55th minute, she burst down the right wing and connected with Croix Bethune, who set up Leicy Santos for a shot that Emily Sonnett blocked at the last moment. Kouassi then drew another foul from Reale in the 59th minute, prompting Amorós to make a decisive substitution, bringing on Bruninha in the 63rd minute to protect the rookie from a second yellow.
That substitution proved decisive.
With the match still level in the 80th minute, Sarah Schupansky sent a long ball toward Bruninha on the left flank. The Brazilian fullback drove into the box, used a pair of step-overs and threaded a centering pass across the top of the area. Rose Lavelle arrived perfectly and struck a first-time shot into the bottom left corner, the latest opening goal in NWSL Championship history. Two years after scoring in a final against Gotham, Lavelle delivered the winner for Gotham, becoming the fourth player in league history to score in finals for two different teams and earning 2025 Championship MVP honors.
“It was maybe the one moment I had in the game to step up,” Lavelle said. “I keep saying Bruninha did the heavy lifting on that.”
From there, the Bats protected their lead with discipline. Sonnett and Jess Carter anchored a composed defensive stand, clearing crosses, winning duels and shutting down every late push from Washington. For the second straight season, the Spirit fell 1-0 in the championship match.
“This was such a roller coaster of a season for us. We had injuries. We had a really daunting schedule with the amount of games that we were playing, the travel. I think just like the way that every single individual stepped up in the moments, did what they were asked to, was so huge,” Lavelle said. “I think you learn the most about yourself in the toughest moments. And so, I think what we faced throughout the season really helped set us up.”
“I keep saying this is such a special group,” Lavelle said. “We’ve had such a tough season, and this was just the most special way to top it off. We couldn’t have done it without every single person from top to bottom. It’s been amazing. This is the icing on the cake.”
“Every winner is special,” said Juan Carlos Amorós. “We worked so hard for this moment. To become a champion is the moment the referee blows the whistle. Until that moment, you’re trying to be a champion and then you’re a champion forever.”
The championship capped Gotham’s most accomplished season in club history. Already crowned 2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup winners, the Bats added a second major trophy to the season, cementing a landmark year for the organization.
When the final whistle blew, Gotham had secured its second title in three years, completing a playoff run defined by resilience, belief and perfectly timed performances. A late winner, an improbable run, a second star in three years — Gotham FC are champions once again.
