Key events
Three of the four CBS pregame hosts are picking Gotham to win. The regular season standings are a state of mind.
If you'd like to get in touch and give your opinion on things, I'd recommend e-mail. Social media tends to become a wasteland for such cases.
Almost 5:00 pm PT, but we'll see when they actually start. For those who are not used to sports USA events, start time – this is a state of mind.
The CBS pre-game show, which was heavy on the fact that commentator Kelly O'Hara played for the 2021 Spirit championship team and the 2023 Gotham championship team, said Cantore will be up front and to the left of the Spirit on Monday, unlike what was on the NWSL schedule. Let's see. This isn't baseball. Position is a state of mind. I'm brainless, so I played on the bench.
By the way, I will also be on duty at today's Formula 1 race from Las Vegas.
I wrote a book about the Spirit and live near Washington, but I root for anything that ends in 90 minutes.
Who No Here?
“Gotham” has lost US gold medalists Tierna Davidson and Taryn Torres for the season.
For Washington, the second best scorer of the season is still Ashley Hatch, who only played 10 games before going on maternity leave. USA players Andy Sullivan and Casey Krueger also withdrew for the same reason. Hive Sarr is out with a back injury. And Gabby Karl was sidelined with a recent hip injury.
Gotham FC roster
Wow, both teams have a lot of creativity at center. And fantastic goalkeepers. And a stunning English center back next to a strong American defender.
Goalkeeper: Anne-Katrin Berger
Defense (L-R): Lilly Reale, Jess Carter, Emily Sonnett, Mandy Freeman.
Midfield: Jaelin Howell behind Jedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle.
Left wing: Sarah Schupanski
Right Wing: Midge Purce
Forward: Esther Gonzalez
Washington composition
Nope. Rodman won't start.
Goalkeeper: Aubrey Kingsbury
Defense (from left to right): Kate Wisner, Tara McKeown, Rebekah Bernal, Esme Morgan.
Midfield: Hal Hershfelt behind Croix Bethune and Lacey Santos
Left wing: Sofia Cantore
Right wing: Rosemond Kouassi
Next: Gift Monday
Preamble
First of all, do me a favor and Not go back and read my playoff predictions.
Not that any of us succeeded. Kansas City had a season for the ages—until the playoffs came around. Washington's best players were as healthy as the sense of bipartisanship in the capital, and Jonathan Giraldes The era ended before it began. Gotham barely made it to the playoffs.
But these are two top-notch teams by any standard. We will have lineups soon and they will both be strong. (Rodman will play, right??)
Bo will be here soon. In the meantime, here's a quick overview of the game's key battles:
At the end of quintessence NVSL In a playoff rife with goals and last-minute upsets, eighth-place underdog Gotham will face second-place Washington Spirit for the trophy. Both teams have won the NWSL Championship once before: Spirit in 2021 and Gotham two years later. Washington is the likely favorite, but Gotham's talent cannot be discounted.
As we look forward to Saturday night in San Jose, here are a few key battles that could decide the game.
Anne-Catherine Berger (Gotham) – Aubrey Kingsbury (Spirit)
Unless we end up in a penalty shootout and one of the goalies misses one penalty, those two won't face each other's shots. But their battle may prove to be the most decisive of all.
Both showed performances worthy of the best player of the match in the first round. Gotham upset Shield record holders Kansas City thanks to a massive seven-save performance from 2024 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Berger. In Washington, Kingsbury led the Spirit to a narrow victory over postseason debutants Racing Louisville, making seven saves of her own in 120 minutes and then two more to secure the shootout victory.
The pair faced fewer shots on target in the semi-final but had to make brilliant saves to send their teams through to the final. An elite performance from any goalie can decide the outcome of a championship.
Emily Sonnett vs. Washington's offensive depth
Berger is the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year and deservedly nominated again for 2025. But the fact that Gotham have conceded the second most goals (25) this season and have the second most clean sheets is because their defense has been superb. Hats off to experienced centre-back Emily Sonnett who has had a great year for club and country.
Spirit have an impressive line-up of players who pose a threat in front of goal; and Sonnett needs to coordinate their content. With injuries limiting starts for some (such as Croix Bethune and Trinity Rodman, the latter of whom is still returning to full fitness and came off the bench late in the semifinals), Washington has five players with four or more goals this season (Gotham has three) and has totaled 42 goals – second only to Kansas City. Sonnett's backline play will need to be top notch to limit them, with the help of key players around her such as centre-back Jess Carter.
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