NWSL Playoff scores: OL Reign upset San Diego Wave, NJ/NY Gotham FC stun Portland Thorns to advance to final

The careers of Ali Krieger and Megan Rapinoe have one more game left

By Pardeep Cattry

& Sandra Herrera

Nov 6, 2023 • 1 min read

There will be a new NWSL champion in 2023. OL Reign will face NJ/NY Gotham FC for the NWSL Championship on Saturday as former U.S. women's national team players Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger compete for one final trophy.

OL Reign defeated San Diego Wave FC 1-0 in the semifinal Sunday night. Veronica Latsko provided another game-winning goal for the visitors early in the second half. The Reign controlled large stretches of the game, clogging the narrow channels for San Diego and had better attacking chances in the final third.

It will be the third NWSL Championship appearance for coach Laura Harvey and Rapinoe after previously reaching the big event in 2014 and 2015.

Gotham head to first-ever NWSL Championship

NJ/NY Gotham FC booked a spot in the NWSL Championship for the first time ever after Katie Stengel's stunner in extra time earned them a 1-0 win over the reigning champions Portland Thorns on Sunday.

The two played to a scoreless draw for 90 minutes, but the lack of goals were not for a lack of trying. Golden boot winner Sophia Smith was a threat for the Thorns but Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught was up for the task, while Lynn Williams was active whenever the visitors got forward.

In the end, it was substitute Stengel who was the hero of the day. Gotham earned the ball in the 107th minute off a giveaway near the penalty area, with Kristie Mewis sending the ball towards Stengel. From there, she took a curling shot from distance that sailed over goalkeeper Shelley Hogan.

Reign beat Wave

Later on the night, the Reign eked out a 1-0 win over the Shield-winning San Diego Wave. The Wave dominated in a handful of categories but the Reign were the ones that took the advantage just after the half through Latsko. Her ball in from the touchline looked like a cross but landed in the top left corner of the net, providing the night's second golazo.

The Wave were unable to overcome the strike, especially as the Reign successfully ran down the clock with the advantage fully on their side.

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What's next

OL Reign and Gotham FC will square off in the NWSL Championship on Nov. 11 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. You can watch all the action no CBS.

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Live updates

Pinned

Reign to play Gotham in championship

The Shield winners are out courtesy of Latsko's shot/cross/whatever you want to call it, meaning the championship will be a farewell for both Rapinoe and Gotham's Krieger. The Reign will play Gotham on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium for the NWSL title, which would be the first in either club's history.

VAR check

88' The referee listens to the VAR officials as they check a potential penalty call for the Thorns after Haught commits a foul in the box, but Moultrie was offside on the play so the referee rules against the spot kick.

Storylines: OL Reign

Arguably the most experienced team with players and a coach who has performed at this level in the past. The Reign may have struggled during their final stretch of the season, but picked up a playoff-clinching Decision Day win against Chicago, and eliminated a blazing-hot Angel City in the quarterfinal. The team has nine different goal scorers this season, which makes marking their attack unpredictable, and could just be the x-factor they need as the visiting side. If they can score first, and early, their organized play could lead to a win.

Haught with a big save

79' The Thorns regain possession in near their own box and Smith goes running, with a one-v-one with Haught in the cards. The Gotham goalkeeper is up to the task and comes off her line decisively to deny the golden boot winner of the go-ahead goal.

Portland have a look

73' The Thorns look as close to scoring as they have all half long with with the likes of Dunn, Moultrie, and Smith hanging out in and around the box, but the Gotham defense clears it that time. Portland then have a freekick that Sauerbrunn gets a head on, but the ball sails wide of goal. That latter attempt was their first shot of the half.

Playoff rules reminder

The NWSL postseason is a knockout-round format. Six teams advanced to the playoffs with three rounds of competition including two first-round matches, two semifinal games (Nov. 5), and the NWSL Championship (Nov. 11). Each playoff game will be 90 minutes of regulation. If the score is tied, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played. If the two periods of extra-time has not determined a winner, then a penalty kick shootout will take place.

Storylines: San Diego Wave FC

The Wave are back for another semifinal appearance and this time they're the top seed in the postseason. The club built off their impressive 2022 playoff run, as the first-ever California expansion side to play a playoff appearance in their first season. The team is full of talent, with multiple candidates for End of the year awards, including head coach Casey Stoney for coach of the year. They'll have coverage in the back with goalkeeper finalist Kailen Sheridan and defender finalist Naomi Girma. The group will place their attacking chances in the boots of Shaw and Alex Morgan.

Cagey start to the second half

59' Both sides are trying to build some attacking momentum but both sets of defenses have also become sturdier to start the second half. Sauerbrunn in particular has had a strong day so far sniffing out Gotham's attack.

San Diego vs. OL Reign up next

We've got a nail-biter going so far in the first semifinal between Thorns and Gotham but it's still scoreless as the game approaches the hour mark. Keep it locked on our live blog for updates for the next NWSL semifinal between San Diego Wave FC and OL Reign.

San Diego Wave FC and OL Reign will meet for a fifth time this year, but this occasion will be for a spot in the NWSL Championship. The Wave will host the Reign at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California on Sunday. The two sides have faced each other four times across all competitions this season, with the Reign victorious in each fixture, but San Diego are in good form as the 2023 NWSL Shield winners. You can watch all the action on CBS Sports Network.

Gonzalez strikes

50' Gonzalez took the first meaningful shot of the game with a powerful strike from close range, but Hogan was able to stop the ball.

Second half underway

No changes at the half.

HT: POR 0-0 NJ/NY

It's been an entertaining first half, and Gotham has been in charge with 60% of possession and six shots to the Thorns' three. The hosts, though, edge out the visitors in shots on goal (two to one) but while the game doesn't lack for attacking motions and ambitious plays, we're still awaiting some meaningful chances.

Haught receiving attention

45'+4 Haught collides with Weaver outside the penalty area and falls to the ground, prompting the medical staff to rush to her aid. After a couple of minutes, she's back up and seems intent on making it to halftime. Her backup, Betos, is warming up in the meantime.

Rough challenge on Gonzalez

33' Gonzalez gets close to goal and forces Hogan off her line. The goalkeeper gets the ball but also may have gotten Gonzalez at the same time, but after a VAR check, no penalty is called and play resumes.

Williams with a header

30' Now it's Gotham who build a little bit of momentum in attack, and they get close to scoring the game's opening goal as Williams is left alone to finish off a cross. Her header sails just over the bar, but it was a close one and only adds to the back-and-forth action we have been seeing all game.

Weaver with a shot

26' Weaver makes a run down the left flank and takes a shot from distance, which Haught deals with with relative ease. The Thorns are starting to dominate this game and are consistently looking for the go-ahead goal, but it hasn't come yet.

Here comes Nighswonger

16' Williams connects with Nighswonger after the rookie makes a skilled run down the left flank to find herself in the box. She takes a shot but Hogan is there to save the ball, allowing the Thorns to make a run up the pitch of their own and build some meaningful pressure around the goal. End-to-end stuff in Portland.

Back and forth start

10' The Thorns are arguably on the front foot, but both sides are showing their attacking intent to start this match. Williams looked close to scoring for Gotham but Hogan was able to handle her header easily, while Dunn created a play that earned a corner for the hosts and Smith has been active so far in this match.

First half underway

Amidst a heavy downpour in Portland, the NWSL semifinals have officially begun.

Prediction time

Across the Attacking Third team and the CBSSports.com crew, everyone is backing the Thorns over Gotham -- except for Darian Jenkins, who picked the east coasters in this battle. Take a peek at our predictions here ahead of today's semifinals.

Goalkeeper change for Thorns

Hogan makes her second start of the season for the hosts in place of Bixby, who is on the bench. Smith also returns to the lineup for the Thorns, while Krieger starts for Gotham. Here's how both teams will begin the match.Hogan

Thorns starting XI: Hogan, Klingenberg, Menges, Sauerbrunn, Reyes, Coffey, Moultrie, Rodriguez, Weaver, Smith, Dunn

Gotham starting XI: Haught, Bruninha, Krieger, Lopez, Nighswonger, Sheehan, Martin, Ryan, Williams, Gonzalez, Purce

Nigshwonger's big night

Rookie of the Year nominee Jenna Nighswonger is expected to play a big part for Gotham tonight. She was drafted as a forward but was quickly converted into a left fullback by first year head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, and despite the learning curve, she fits in well. Amoros' team has relied on defenders to kickstart the attack, which Nighswonger said suits her natural skillset.

Nighswonger: "I think I just like to play my position more attacking. I think I do see myself more as an attacking mid player but I am now a left back. I think just taking what I used to do in the attack and use my vision just to play a new position. We talk a lot about how it's just a role on the field and we try to do a lot of different rotations and things so I don't really feel like I'm just a left back, which I like. Sometimes I can play the 10, the 11. I think that's definitely been helpful."

Expect a tight game

The Thorns and Gotham have split the series this season, each winning at home in closely contested affairs. The home field advantage benefits the Thorns, but as the Attacking Third crew discussed on Friday, they will be eager to bounce back from the 5-1 loss to Angel City on Decision Day. Here's Jordan Angeli on the lessons the Thorns should learn from that defeat:

Angeli: "They need to be good playing out of the back. Choose their moments when they do play out of Gotham's pressure because they will have some space to run into, which Portland loves, but also be willing at times, with their fans behind them ... to just release some of the pressure."

Watch the full segment below.

Hello and welcome!

Happy NWSL semifinal day! One of the most competitive seasons in the league's history has set up for two incredibly fascinating matchups -- and two potential finales for two of the game's most notable players. Stay tuned for team news and updates from both semifinal games.

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