Anticipation is running sky high as the Washington Spirit prepare to face off against Gotham FC in the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship, set for Saturday night at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The clash, scheduled for 8 p.m. local time, brings together two teams with contrasting journeys and a rivalry that’s become one of the league’s most storied. For the Spirit, it’s a shot at redemption after last year’s heartbreak, while Gotham arrives with a chip on its shoulder, eager to prove their playoff run is no fluke.
For Washington Spirit forward Gift Monday, the final is more than just another game—it’s a deeply personal milestone. Monday, who has been a driving force in the Spirit’s march to the final, is balancing the thrill of championship soccer with the recent loss of her father, who was also her first coach and mentor. "I think of him all the time," Monday told ESPN. "If he was around, I would have got him a plane ticket and he would have been on the front seat, in VVIP for this Final." The memory of her father has followed her throughout the playoffs, with Monday admitting, "At first, I was just so happy over the game. I was celebrating with the other girls, and then all of a sudden I don't know what came over me, I was in my feelings. I just know that one minute I was celebrating, the next I was soaked in my own tears."
Monday’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After returning from her father’s funeral in Nigeria last month, she immediately jumped into the quarterfinal and scored a goal—dedicating her performance to her father by forgoing her usual arrow celebration. "Every day is for him too, but that day was just like, this one is special because I was just coming back from his funeral and I just wanted everything to be about him," she explained. Now, with the Spirit on the cusp of glory, Monday’s resolve is steeled by both grief and ambition.
Her adaptation to life in the NWSL has been a challenge she’s embraced since transferring from UD Tenerife in Spain this March. "When I first came into the NWSL, my personal goal was to make a statement in the league, get used to the pattern of the league and also try to score as many goals as I could to help my team win almost every game," Monday said. The Spirit’s path to the final has been paved with hard work and collective effort—a sentiment echoed by Monday: "As a team, we are not surprised that we are in the Final because we really worked so hard to be where we are today. It's not like we got here by luck or by chance."
Washington’s journey this season has been anything but straightforward. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, the team’s longest-tenured player, described the current roster as the best she’s ever played for. "This is the best team I’ve ever played for by far," Kingsbury declared after the semifinal win. "I felt confident going into the preseason, honestly, that we would win the finals. So excited to be back and just have one more to go." That confidence has been hard-earned. The Spirit overcame a slew of obstacles, including early season injuries, several players on pregnancy leave, and a midseason coaching change when Jonatan Giráldez left for OL Lyonnes in France. Defender Tara McKeown, recently named NWSL Defender of the Year, recalled, "There’s been times when we had, maybe, 14 players on the injured report, and the next player stepped up and got us through those games."
Between August and mid-October, Washington went on a 14-game unbeaten streak, racking up seven victories across all competitions. Their aggressive, attacking style was on full display in the semifinals, where they dispatched the Portland Thorns 2-0 at a packed Audi Field. Rosemonde Kouassi’s blistering 80-yard run set up Monday for a tap-in, while Croix Bethune sealed the win by capitalizing on a defensive mistake. "I feel that in these last two games has been, honestly, the best soccer we’ve played," Bethune said, highlighting the team’s late-season peak.
Head coach Adrián González credits the Spirit’s success to the connections built throughout the season. "Now, we are seeing the connections that we built, and I think it was a great team effort," González said. The Spirit’s resilience has been their hallmark, and they’re determined to go one better after losing last year’s final to Orlando Pride.
But standing in their way is a Gotham FC side that has proven its playoff mettle. Despite finishing eighth in the regular season and barely clinching the final playoff spot, Gotham has been a giant killer in the postseason, knocking out top-seeded Kansas City Current and reigning champions Orlando Pride. Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós has crafted a squad that blends international flair with American stars, including Ann-Katrin Berger, Esther González, Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and rising talent Jaedyn Shaw. Gotham also lifted the inaugural CONCACAF W Championship Cup in May, adding silverware to their growing resume.
The rivalry between Washington and Gotham is the most-played fixture in NWSL history, with Saturday marking their 44th meeting across all competitions. This season, the Spirit have struggled mightily against their East Coast foes, failing to score in three meetings—two ending in 0-0 draws and one a 3-0 Gotham victory at Audi Field. "Gotham has always given us tough times," Monday admitted. "I think I have played against them three times and it was so tough for us. But I am glad to play them again to see if I have improved from the last time I played against them."
There’s also a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Spirit’s star forward, Trinity Rodman. Her contract expires after the championship, and negotiations are swirling involving team owner Michele Kang, league commissioner Jessica Berman, and interest from European clubs and DC Power FC. Rodman, who has battled injuries this year—including an MCL sprain in October—has still managed five goals and two assists in 15 appearances. "For me, my focus has been winning this championship and the next steps come after that," Rodman said. "But right now, my head is completely down and it has been so distracting being injured, and so that is all I can think about."
Back home, Spirit fans are rallying in droves. Watch parties are popping up across the D.C. area, from the Lincoln Theatre’s free event with giveaways and limited-edition merchandise, to Astro Beer Hall’s official Spirit Watch Party Hub offering free T-shirts and themed drinks. A League of Her Own and several family-run sports bars in Del Ray and Falls Church are also opening their doors for fans to catch the action, ensuring that the Spirit’s journey is celebrated far beyond San Jose.
With both teams boasting complete rosters and everything on the line, Saturday’s final is set to be a fierce, emotional, and unforgettable contest. The Spirit are determined to turn last year’s pain into triumph, while Gotham aims to cap their underdog run with the ultimate prize. One way or another, history will be made at PayPal Park—and fans on both coasts are ready for every dramatic moment.
