Gotham Clinches NWSL Championship as Spirit Falls Short Again

omidbasir- For the second consecutive year, the Washington Spirit fell short in the NWSL Championship. Last season, they were defeated by Orlando with two late goals; this time, a single pivotal moment in a fiercely contested, defensive match kept them from claiming the trophy.

Entering the final, the Spirit appeared well-prepared: Trinity Rodman had returned from injury, Croix Bethune regained her dynamic form, and Tara McKeown, fresh off being named Defender of the Year, led the back line. However, the team’s attacking prowess was lacking, and a careless transition, exacerbated by a poor clearance, allowed Gotham to score in the 80th minute.

“We had a hard time maintaining possession and being patient in the final third,” Rodman commented post-match.

Rodman acknowledged that she wasn’t at her best during the Championship match.

“As much as I don’t want to admit it, I still don’t feel like I was my full self tonight, which is disappointing. This is the second year I’ve reached the final without feeling like myself, which is frustrating. I did my best, but I definitely underperformed.”

After conceding the goal, the Spirit struggled to create a sense of urgency. Even with late substitutions intended to revitalize the team, Gotham managed to control the match’s final moments and secure the win. Spirit coach Adrian Gonzalez recognized that he could have managed Hal Hershfelt’s late substitution more effectively.

“It took maybe longer than we anticipated, but a player like her always wants to be on the field, especially in a final. We need to learn from this experience. While we can now say the substitution was late, she was eager to contribute and that was her intention.”

This loss is particularly painful for the Spirit, who believed this season could be their year following last season’s near miss. Fans are also speculating whether this could be Rodman’s last appearance for the club amidst reports of interest from overseas. Rodman stated that no decisions have been made yet.

“Like I’ve always said, we’re sisters forever,” she remarked.

The Spirit possesses a strong roster, including Gift Monday, Hal Hershfelt, and Aubrey Kingsbury, prompting questions about whether they will reassess their lineup or continue to build on their established core.

Amid championship speculation, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman informed reporters that the league would “fight for her” to stay, while Rodman remained noncommittal throughout the week, stating, “I’ve made no decisions.”

After the match, when asked if the loss would affect her decision-making, Rodman responded without hesitation: “Every team loses.”

Rodman has been linked to a potential move to Europe, a transition that could prove challenging for Washington to counter, especially with the WSL lacking a salary cap. Reports have also suggested a possible move within D.C., with the USL’s D.C. Power being viewed as an alternative destination.

The USL also operates without a salary cap.

This has been an unpredictable season for Rodman, characterized by injuries and inconsistent play; nonetheless, her impact when fit has been evident. Even her brief appearance in the semifinal was enough to energize the Spirit and propel them forward.

Throughout the week, from the NWSL Awards to media engagements and training sessions, Rodman appeared focused and engaged, fully immersed in her team’s journey. Yet, with her contract expiring this offseason, critical decisions lie ahead.

Faced with numerous challenges, Gotham could have easily faltered early in the NWSL playoffs. Instead, there was a quiet confidence within the team that they had more to offer. Emily Sonnett acknowledged that they had underperformed during the regular season but found their rhythm in the postseason.

“It wasn’t a secret that we underperformed,” Sonnett stated in an interview with CBS’s Good Morning America. “Making the playoffs was the reset moment this team needed.”

Entering the playoffs as the eighth seed, Gotham held a belief that they could surprise opponents. They successfully eliminated two of the league’s top teams, Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride, achieving their second NWSL Championship appearance in three years. Although Washington boasted a better regular-season record and was coming off their own finals run, Gotham peaked at the right moment. The late-season addition of Jaedyn Shaw proved crucial, alongside the return of Rose Lavelle and significant contributions from rookies like Lilly Reale, Sarah Schupansky, and Sofia Cook.

Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós has now led Gotham to two titles, underscoring the high standards he has set.

“We worked tirelessly for this moment,” he expressed. “Becoming a champion is realized when the referee blows the whistle. Until that moment, you strive to be a champion – and once that moment arrives, you are a champion forever.”

Gotham’s victory cannot be discussed without acknowledging Lavelle’s transformative impact. The U.S. international has been part of many competitive teams, yet an NWSL Championship had always eluded her—until Saturday night at PayPal Park. Her decisive goal secured Gotham’s second title in three seasons and earned her MVP honors.

This year marked Lavelle’s long-awaited comeback after over a year of rehabilitation following ankle surgery. Upon her return, she swiftly reestablished herself with both Gotham and the U.S. women’s national team.

Her influence was immediate, providing a creative spark and technical finesse that both club and country had been missing. On Saturday, that combination proved decisive.

Lavelle joined Gotham in 2024 after leaving Seattle Reign, arriving alongside U.S. national teammates Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn, and Tierna Davidson. She has quickly integrated with the Bats, emphasizing the collective effort behind their postseason success.

“We have such a special group, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this victory with them,” she said.

With a solid core led by Lavelle, the future looks promising for the NWSL side in the New York metropolitan area.

“The sky’s the limit. We can achieve so much as a team. This mindset propelled us during the playoffs, and it proved effective,” she shared with ESPN.