Post by : Maya Rahman

The 2025 NWSL Championship final is upon us, with Washington Spirit gearing up to take on Gotham FC this Saturday night at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. local time, the matchup showcases two teams on contrasting journeys this season. For Washington Spirit, this final is a shot at redemption following last year’s loss, while Gotham FC aims to demonstrate that their playoff success is no fluke.

For forward Gift Monday, the stakes are personal. As a pivotal player in guiding the Spirit to the final, she has faced the recent loss of her father, who was also her first coach. Monday expressed, “I think of him all the time. If he was here, I would have got him a plane ticket and he would have been in VVIP for this Final.” The memory of her father has fueled her determination throughout the playoffs, and she dedicated her quarterfinal goal to him after returning from his funeral in Nigeria.

Monday's NWSL journey has been extraordinary. She transitioned to the Washington Spirit from UD Tenerife in Spain this March, quickly acclimating to the league’s pace. Her goal remains clear: to score prolifically and elevate her team's chances of victory. She remarked, “As a team, we are not surprised to be in the Final because we have really worked hard to reach this point. It's not merely luck that brought us here.”

Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, the longest-serving player on the team, believes this roster is the best she has ever participated in. The Spirit have faced numerous hurdles this season, including injuries and a mid-season coaching transition with Jonatan Giráldez moving to OL Lyonnes in France. Defender Tara McKeown, who earned the title of NWSL Defender of the Year, recalled, “There were times we had 14 players on the injured list, yet the next player always stepped up to carry us through.”

Washington demonstrated robust form late in the season, stringing together a 14-match unbeaten streak from August to mid-October, including seven wins. They recently advanced to the final by defeating Portland Thorns 2-0 at Audi Field, with Rosemonde Kouassi providing an assist for Monday's opener, followed by a goal from Croix Bethune. Coach Adrián González praised his team’s cohesiveness, stating, “We are starting to see the connections that we’ve built, and this has been a fantastic team effort.”

Gotham FC, finishing eighth in the regular season, has emerged as the tournament's underdog, overcoming top teams like Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride in playoffs. Under the guidance of coach Juan Carlos Amorós, Gotham boasts stars such as Ann-Katrin Berger, Esther González, Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and promising talent Jaedyn Shaw. Their confidence has surged since winning the CONCACAF W Championship Cup in May.

The rivalry between Spirit and Gotham is the most contested in NWSL history, with Saturday marking their 44th encounter. Washington has faced challenges against Gotham this season, failing to find the net in three previous matches. Monday acknowledged, “Gotham has always posed difficulties for us. I recall facing them three times, and it was tough. I’m looking forward to seeing if I've improved since our last match-up.”

Trinity Rodman, another essential player for the Spirit, remains focused on the upcoming championship despite contract uncertainties and injuries. Meanwhile, fans are rallying, hosting watch parties throughout the D.C. area to support their team.

With both teams primed and ready, the NWSL final promises to be filled with intensity and emotion. The Spirit are determined to transform their previous disappointment into a championship, while Gotham aims to close their underdog story with triumph.

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