Photo Copyright Patti Giobetti for The Equalizer
San Jose, Calif. — A boisterous, sold-out crowd at PayPal Park witnessed Gotham FC outlast, outplay and out-coach the Washington Spirit on Saturday to be crowned National Women’s Soccer League champions. Traveling supporters arrived in numbers, despite the nearly 3,000 miles separating San Jose from both East Coast teams.
The match clung to a knife’s edge until Rose Lavelle capped off a brilliant attacking sequence with the 80th minute winner — the latest goal in NWSL Championship history. Lavelle was named MVP of the match, and can now finally add NWSL champion to her storied resume.
Juan Carlos Amorós’ side mirrored their victorious 2023 campaign by entering the postseason in the final playoff berth and coming out the other side as champions.
The 17 minutes that defined a season
A total of 26 regular season games. Two knockout games, one of which required extra time for both teams. And yet, it was a 17-minute stretch in the Championship that likely determined the outcome of the 2025 NWSL season.
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