NWSL Recap: Gotham FC Raise the Trophy in San Diego

There’s a new champion on the pitch with Gotham FC defeating the OL Reign 2-1 in the National Women’s Soccer League Championship. This was the club’s first-ever championship and was a complete comeback after finishing in last place the year before.

The opening goal came in the 24th minute with Lynn Williams bringing the crowd to their feet. Williams was traded to Gotham from Kansas City earlier in the season.

After the Reign tied it up with a goal from Rose Lavelle, another new addition for Gotham found the back of the net to secure the victory. Esther Gonzolaz scored in first-half stoppage time and tough defense held the Reign the rest of the match.

Midge Purce was the match MVP after she had the assist for both of Gotham’s goals. She also led the match with five dribbles.

Not only did Gotham finish in last of the 12 NWSL teams last year, but they finished their 2022 campaign on a 12-game losing streak. Purce only had three assists all season, where she recorded two in the 2023 Finals game alone.

One of the biggest differences in this year’s Gotham compared to last year’s was a complete revamp in the coaching staff. Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós was hired last November to take over the team.

Amorós was joined by Shaun Harris, Ak Lakhani, and former U.S. Women’s National Team player Jen Lalor, to highlight the sparkling brand-new coaching staff.

The final match was bitter-sweet for some as it was the final battle for two great players. Both Ali Krieger and Megan Rapinoe gave their final farewells to the sport after the game.

In the match, Krieger won her first NWSL title which added on to her impressive career, including being a two-time world champion. Kreiger was also a 2007 Penn State University alum.

Yet in heartbreaking fashion, Rapinoe gave a goodbye that no one expected. Within just three minutes of the match, the star forward fell to the pitch injured and would end her career on the sidelines.

Rapinoe is argued as one of the best-ever players of women’s soccer. She is a three-time Olympian, two-time world champion and won an Olympic gold medal with the 2012 team.

Although on opposite teams of the NWSL Finals, Kreiger and Rapinoe were teammates on the U.S. National Team for much of their careers.

Next year, the NWSL will grow to 14 teams, adding both a Bay FC in San Diego and the Utah Royals in Salt Lake City. The league will continue to grow in the upcoming years with a Boston club being added in 2026 and league talks of a possible 16th team after that.

Opening Day for the NWSL in 2024 has not yet been announced, but it is probable that it will be sometime in March.

Allie Wenskoski is a second-year broadcast journalism student. To contact her, please email amw7637@psu.edu.