Gotham FC edged Washington Spirit 1-0 to claim the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship at PayPal Park in San Jose.
The only goal came in the 80th minute when Rose Lavelle, assisted by Brazilian right-back Bruninha, fired home a left-footed strike that settled the contest. Gotham had entered the playoffs as the eighth seed but delivered a run of wins notably over the top-seeded Kansas City Current and the defending champions to reach the final.
Washington Spirit, meanwhile, were denied the title once again they have now lost consecutive finals. The team included Nigerian forward Gift Monday and Super Falcons prospect Deborah Abiodun, both of whom featured but couldn’t change the outcome.
Editorial
What we witnessed was more than a 1-0 win it was a vivid reminder that resilience, belief and timing can triumph over pedigree. Gotham FC’s path from lowest seed to champion reads like the kind of underdog narrative we crave and for a club in the NJ/NY market, it may define their identity.
Rose Lavelle’s strike in the 80th minute was a moment of ruthless clarity in a cagey final, when chances were few, she produced quiet brilliance. Bruninha’s assist was equally important it was the kind of simple, clever pass that separates good teams from champions.
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For Washington Spirit, the narrow defeat stings. Having pushed to the final again, they must now ask whether their blueprint is sufficient. The presence of Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun speaks to the global reach of the club’s talent, yet the result suggests fine margins remain the difference at the highest level.
This also carries obvious implications for Nigerian women’s football Monday and Abiodun’s involvement at this level shows how players from Nigeria are now integral components in elite environments. Their experience, while ending without a trophy this time, will pay dividends.
But Gotham FC’s triumph is the headline. From regular-season struggles to playoff winners, this is a club learning how to win when everything is on the line. If they can build on this, the NWSL may soon view them not as an underdog, but as the team to beat.
Did You Know?
- Gotham’s goal came in the 80th minute, which is the latest opening goal in NWSL Championship history.
- The two Nigerian players for Washington Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun ended their season in the final, marking a significant milestone for Nigerian players in the NWSL.
- Gotham FC secured their second NWSL Championship in three years with this win (they also won in 2023).
- Washington Spirit have now lost two finals in a row, despite being one of the strongest teams in the league.
- Gotham won this title after entering the playoffs as the eighth seed, making their victory particularly remarkable.
