Washington Spirit and Gotham FC meet in NWSL Championship tonight in San Jose
The No. 2 Washington Spirit faces No. 8 Gotham FC tonight in San Jose for the NWSL Championship, concluding a demanding season that included international play.
6 hrs ago
The 2025 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season concludes tonight as the No. 2 Washington Spirit faces the No. 8 Gotham FC in the NWSL Championship at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The title match pits two East Coast rivals against each other following a season marked by intense domestic competition and significant international travel. The Spirit enters the final seeking to avenge a narrow loss in last year's title match, while Gotham FC is attempting to secure the trophy as the lowest seed ever to reach the championship game.
Gotham FC's postseason run has been historic, fueled by resilience, according to reports. The New York club became the first No. 8 seed to advance to the NWSL Championship. Their path included stunning the top-seeded Kansas City Current, who were the NWSL Shield holders, in the first round. Katie Stengel scored the decisive goal in the 121st minute of that match. Gotham then edged the Orlando Pride in the semifinals after U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Rose Lavelle drew a foul that led to Jaedyn Shaw's decisive free-kick goal. Lavelle has been described as a steady force in the midfield throughout the postseason.
The 2025 NWSL campaign was uniquely demanding for both finalists, as they competed concurrently in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, an international tournament featuring teams from Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador. Group stage matches for the international competition were often held mid-week, overlapping with the standard Friday-to-Sunday NWSL schedule.
This concurrent scheduling resulted in grueling travel itineraries. For example, in August, the Washington Spirit traveled approximately 4,200 miles from Santa Tecla, El Salvador, to San Jose for matches separated by only three days. Both teams traveled cross-country this week to reach San Jose for the final, a distance they have become well acquainted with throughout the year.
The NWSL Championship match will be broadcast on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+ and Fubo.