In a dramatic finish in San Jose, California, Rose Lavelle cemented her legendary status by scoring the championship-winning goal to deliver Gotham FC its second National Women's Soccer League title. The U.S. women's national team star fired Gotham to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Championship final on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
A Moment of Magic Seals the Title
The game-winning moment arrived in the 80th minute after a period of sustained pressure. Substitute Bruninha carried the ball down the left flank before cutting it back to the top of the penalty area. Lavelle, timing her run perfectly from the right side, met the pass and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from 18 yards out that flew into the left side of the net, leaving Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury with no chance.
Washington had one final, heart-stopping opportunity to equalize deep into stoppage time. Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger fumbled a catch outside her six-yard box, but Spirit's Paige Metayer could only send her subsequent shot wide of the left post, sealing Gotham's fate as champions.
Gotham's Improbable Playoff Run
Gotham FC's championship victory caps a remarkable and unexpected playoff journey. The team barely qualified for the postseason, sneaking in as the eighth and final seed. They then embarked on a stunning underdog run, first upsetting the top-seeded Kansas City Current 2-1 with a dramatic goal in the 121st minute of the quarterfinals. Their momentum continued in the semifinals, where they edged the fourth-seeded Orlando Pride 1-0 with another late goal, this time in second-half stoppage time.
The final itself was a tense affair from the start. Gotham nearly scored within the first five seconds when Jaedyn Shaw's ambitious long-range effort sailed wide after Lavelle's kickoff. Esther Gonzalez also had a first-half goal called back for offside, while Washington struggled to create clear chances despite a flurry of late corner kicks.
Lavelle's Crowning Achievement
For Rose Lavelle, the Cincinnati, Ohio native who was named Most Valuable Player of the finals, this victory fills a significant gap in her illustrious trophy cabinet. Already a World Cup champion from 2019 and a 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist, the NWSL title had eluded her. Her only previous appearance in the league final was in 2023 with OL Reign, a match where she scored but ultimately lost 2-1 to none other than Gotham FC.
The match also potentially marked the NWSL farewell for Washington's Trinity Rodman. The 23-year-old USWNT forward, who is weighing offers from overseas clubs, entered the game in the 57th minute to a roaring ovation but was visibly hampered by a knee injury and wore a supportive wrap.
With this victory, Gotham FC wins its second NWSL championship, adding to its first title won in 2023. The Washington Spirit, who won their sole championship in 2021, have now suffered defeat in the final for two consecutive years.
