U.S. women's national team veteran Ali Krieger ended her storied career on a high as NJ/NY Gotham FC won their first-ever NWSL Championship, defeating the OL Reign 2-1 on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
Forward Midge Purce took home MVP honors for her two-assist performance, the first of which she notched in the 24th minute. She made a skillful run down the right flank and made it to the touchline, from where she sent the ball backwards to Lynn Williams in the box, who finished from close range.
The Reign equalized just five minutes later when Bethany Balcer's pass allowed Rose Lavelle to cut through Gotham's high line and score with a powerful strike.
Gotham regained the advantage in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, this time with Purce connecting with Esther Gonzalez. Purce took a corner and her perfectly curved ball found Gonzalez's head, who then scored the eventual game-winning goal.
Both teams unsuccessfully searched for another goal during the second half, but just moments before the final whistle, the final hit new levels of drama. Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught picked up a red card for a handball just outside the penalty area in the seventh minute of stoppage time, but because her side had run out of substitute windows, midfielder Nealy Martin hopped into the net. She went untested for the few moments she was in goal, though the Reign had a chance with a free kick a few feet outside the penalty area that hit the wall.
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While it was an entertaining final, the game got off to an unfortunate start when Megan Rapinoe exited her final match just six minutes in after picking up an off-the-ball injury.
Gotham's rise from last place a year ago to champions in 2023 serves as a fitting conclusion to an uber-competitive NWSL season and marks a dramatic transformation under first-year head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, who also won coach of the year honors.
Martin survives her few minutes as a goalkeeper and after a dramatic finish, Gotham end the game as the NWSL champions. It's a remarkable transformation after finishing last in 2022, and a perfect finish for Krieger's storied career.
90'+7 After a VAR check, Haught is called for touching the ball right outside the box and is given a red card well into stoppage time. Martin comes in goal because Gotham are out of subs, and the Reign have a freekick at the death.
90'+4 Time is ticking for the Reign, who are searching for an equalizer with a roughly a minute left on the clock. Gotham have committed numbers back successfully, while the Reign have not been able to put chances on frame during this stretch.
77' The Reign have gotten close to goal a few times, with a chance from Latsko from close range that seemed like it would be the equalizer but flew wide of the net. Latsko, the Reign's lone goalscorer during this offseason, comes off for Quinn.
67' Now it's Gotham's turn to search for another goal, and their press has been convincing. The best chance of this spell so far was an attempt from Sheehan after her side pounces on a loose ball, but her shot sails well over the bar.
60' Just when it looked like momentum was on Gotham's side, Reign make a run on the counter and Latsko seems to be in on goal, but Haught makes an all-important save to keep her side ahead. The goalkeeper may have hurt herself making the play and received medical treatment, but appears to be fine.
48' The Reign are starting this half well so far and have very much resumed their search for another equalizer. Balcer takes a smart shot from the edge of the area but it sails just wide of the goal.
No changes for either team at the half.
It may have started on a sad note with Rapinoe's untimely injury, but this first half has truly delivered on all the entertainment that it promised. It's the first NWSL Championship game since 2019 in which three goals were scored in the first half and the first since 2016 when both teams scored in the first half. Purce stands out for Gotham after notching two assists, while Lavelle stars for the Reign after scoring their goal.
45'+2 And just like that, it's two for Gotham. Purce's perfectly placed ball from a corner is finished in classic fashion courtesy of a header from Gonzalez. Quite the response just before halftime.
43' Lavelle is giving Gotham's defense quite a bit of grief and has truly enlivened the Reign's offensive effort. They had a goal called back after the offside flag went up, but they are very much knocking on the door.
Hey everyone Sandra Herrera here on the ground in San Deigo. The energy has peaked once more after a pair of goals in the game. A bit of a vacuum for a stretch of time after Megan Rapinoe edited the match, both teams were feeling each other out a bit before the goals were scored. Goals by Williams for Gotham and an equalizer by Lavelle has the game energy back up. Rapinoe is back out on the sideline, very vocal from the bench with a bit of player-coaching going on.
37' Gotham earn a throw-in and cause chaos in the box, which eventually ends with Sheehan's opportunity coming off the crossbar and coming back into play.
29' Lavelle beats Gotham's high line and has an easy look at goal, and she doesn't miss from close range. It's level in San Diego.
24' Gotham strike first! Purce makes an incredibly impressive run down the right wing and makes her way to the touchline, and then sends it behind to the center of the box where Williams is waiting. It's an easy finish for the Best XI selectee from there.
20' Gotham find space on the wing and, true to form, make a threatening run up the pitch. The ball eventually falls to Williams in the center of the box, but she sends it well over the bar.
19' Gotham are slowly but surely finding a rhythm in this one, with Nighswonger doing well to kickstart the team's attack. The Reign has been able to defend nicely so far and has been in the mix for a goal of their own, but we're still waiting for the first meaningful chance of the game.
6' Rapinoe is unable to overcome the injury she sustained, and is walked off the pitch with the assistance of the medical staff. Krieger meets her for one final embrace before she exits the field and Gotham coach Amoros pats her on the back once she exits the field. Balcer comes on in her place after an unfortunate end to Rapinoe's storied career.
The crowd gives Rapinoe a standing ovation as she walks off, and several minutes after her exit, are chanting her name.
4' While Gotham reset from the back, Rapinoe slips and falls and is receiving medical treatment. There's a concern that could be it for her in the NWSL Championship -- and the last minutes of her professional career.
1' The first meaningful attack of the game is Reign's, who quickly charge towards goal. Huitema takes a shot but the shot does not pose much of a threat.
The quest for both the Reign and Gotham to win their first-ever NWSL Championship and send either Rapinoe or Krieger off with a title begins now.
The Reign and Gotham are running with their first-choice team, so expect some of the sides' most consistent players to be the center of attention today.
Latsko and Lavelle are worth keeping an eye on for Reign, while Rookie of the Year Nighswonger and Best XI selectee Williams should be key for Gotham. An honorable mention goes to Rapinoe and Krieger, though, not only because their legacies demand it, but because they can still deliver at a hight level.
In their farewell matches, Rapinoe and Kreiger will be in the lineup for their respective sides. Here's how both teams will start the NWSL Championship.
Reign starting XI: Dickey, Huerta, Cook, Barnes, McClernon, Latsko, Fishlock, Sonnett, Rapinoe, Huitema, Lavelle
Gotham starting XI: Haught, Bruninha, Lopez, Krieger, Nighswonger, Martin, Ryan, Gonzalez, Sheehan, Purce, Williams
Both the Reign and Gotham boast an attack-first mindset, but the teams very much have different approaches that will make the NWSL Championship a fascinating watch from a tactical standpoint alone. Here's Sandra Herrera on what the Reign, coached by Laura Harvey, bring:
Herrera also has a breakdown on Gotham's approach under Juan Carlos Amoros:
The NWSL Championship is upon us, and for one of the game's most celebrated players, a storybook ending is in the cards. Stay tuned as we document it all, from the farewell to Rapinoe and Krieger to the star-making turn any one of the players on the pitch could have today to help clinch her side's first title. We will have team news when it comes, and then updates from the big game.
You can also tune into pre-game coverage on CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+ before the broadcast shifts to CBS and Paramount+ premium at 7:30 p.m. ET.
