Michele Kang on growth of women’s sports
Michele Kang walks the Women Sports Foundation’s red carpet and answers questions on her vision of women’s sports.
Sports Seriously
The stage is set for the 2025 NWSL championship.
The No. 2 seed Washington Spirit and the No. 8 seed Gotham FC will meet in the NWSL Championship at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 22 (CBS, Paramount+) at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
The Spirit return to the final for the second consecutive season following a dominant 2-0 semifinal win over the No. 3 seed Portland Thorns. Gift Monday scored her second playoff goal in as many games on an assist from Rosemonde Kouassi in the 27th minute, while Croix Bethune buried an empty-net goal in the 83rd minute to ice the match.
Gotham FC ousted the reigning champion Orlando Pride in a thrilling 1-0 semifinal win decided in stoppage time. Jaedyn Shaw scored on a free kick in the 97th minute to secure Gotham’s second championship bid in three years. Shaw has scored two playoff goals and assisted on one this postseason.
Both teams will get a boost from the return of their injured stars. Washington forward Trinity Rodman subbed into the Spirit’s semifinal win at the 90th minute, marking her first appearance of the 2025 postseason since suffering a MCL sprain on Oct. 15. Gotham FC also got back NWSL MVP finalist Esther González, who missed the final two regular season games (hip) and didn’t make an appearance in the quarterfinals.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NWSL championship:
In the first 20 minutes, both squads are forcing the issue, getting multiple chances at the goal, but are also cautious, putting pressure on whoever has control of the ball. Both teams have three shots, with only one on goal, and Gotham has a slight edge in possession.
Gotham XI: Ann-Katrin Berger, Lily Reale, Jess Carter, Emily Sonnett, Mandy Freeman, Rose Lavelle, Jaelin Howell, Sarah Schupansky, Jaedyn Shaw, Esther Gonzalez, Midge Purce
Washington XI: Aubrey Kingsbury, Kate Weisner, Tara McKeown, Rebeca Bernal, Esme Morgan, Rosemonde Kouassi, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, Leicy Santos, Sofia Cantore, Gift Monday
What time is Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC?
The No. 2 Washington Spirit and the No. 8 seed Gotham FC will face off in the 2025 NWSL championship at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 22 (CBS, Paramount+) at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC: Time, streaming for NWSL semifinals
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 22
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
- Location: PayPal Park (San Jose, California)
- TV: CBS
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
NWSL playoff bracket
Quarterfinals
- No. 8 Gotham FC 2, No. 1 Kansas City Current 1 (extra time)
- No. 4 Orlando Pride 2, No. 5 Seattle Reign FC 0
- No. 2 Washington Spirit 1, No. 7 Racing Louisville FC 1 (Washington won 3-1 in penalties)
- No. 3 Portland Thorns FC 1, No. 6 San Diego Wave FC 0 (extra time)
Semifinals
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