The NWSL season concluded with Gotham FC beating the Washington Spirit 1–0 to win the championship, propelled by a dramatic late-game goal from central midfielder Rose Lavelle.
Rose Lavelle won the World Cup with the US in 2019; six years later she won her first NWSL title in similarly intriguing style.
The showmaker made the big difference for Gotham FC in an exciting final on Saturday by seizing a unique opportunity and placing her shot into the far corner for the 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
The unusual event was a rare moment of incision in a match between two of the league’s arch-rivals, with Gotham taking advantage of a period of indecisiveness from Spirit manager Adrian Gonzalez.
Rose Lavelle helped Gotham FC win its second NWSL Championship in 2023 by defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0.
Lavelle joined Gotham FC ahead of the 2023 season, arriving from the United States with three of her teammates: Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson. Home advantage during this final on neutral grounds.
Both teams traveled across the country to San Jose, and during Saturday’s game they held their own in front of a sold-out crowd that was heavily skewed to one side due to the specific location of the event.
The 90 minutes provided a reprieve for a Spirit team that was under constant pressure throughout 2025.
Washington’s locker room was surprised midseason when head coach Jonatan Giraldez left for another club in June: Michele Kang’s eight-time European champions OL Lyonne.
Gotham FC, driven by a moment of exceptional mental ability from Rose Lavelle, helped her win the championship.
The unexpected result was achieved by the prominent star’s timely arrival at the most decisive moment, proving to the audience with her brilliance that fate for Gotham was undeniable after all.
