NWSL Championship highlights: Gotham FC crowned champions as Rapinoe, Krieger end careers

In the final game of two legendary USWNT careers, NJ/NY Gotham FC used two first-half goals and hung on through a wild finish to earn a 2-1 win and the team's first NWSL championship.

The title match was the final game for World Cup champions Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger. But Rapinoe left the game in the opening minutes after a non-contact injury in the attacking half. She was seen soon after on the sidelines with crutches and icing her lower leg before wearing a walking boot on her right leg.

OL Reign vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC score, highlights

Gotham won Saturday night's championship final 2-1 over the Reign in Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Purce earned NWSL championship MVP honors thanks two her two assists of the match.

"I'm so honored to play for this club," Purce said after receiving the match honors.

"This was the biggest team win and season we've ever had," she added, turning to her teammates. "I'm truly honored to be with you guys, thank you."

"I think we came out here and we stuck to our plan," Krieger said at the trophy presentation. "We know how good we can be so we applied everything we worked on this season... We were so, so excited to come out here, enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the grass, and I'm so happy we get to go home with this trophy."

"While this is Ali Krieger’s first NWSL title, it’s four for Lynn Williams," columnist Nancy Armour noted. "That’s a first in the league."

In a moment between longtime friends and USWNT teammates, Krieger and Rapinoe hugged after the game. Rapinoe's right foot was in a boot as she congratulated Krieger on the title win.

End of an era:How to watch 2023 NWSL championship: Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger face off in farewell

NWSL Championship recap

Gotham FC broke the 0-0 stalemate midway through the first half thanks to Lynn Williams' goal from the center of the box in the 24th minute off a Midge Purce assist.

OL Reign took mere minutes to respond. Midfielder Rose Lavelle scored in the 29th minute on a fast break that she buried in the right corner of the net.

Gotham FC took the lead again right before halftime. A Purce cross was placed perfectly for Esther to score on a header in the center of the box and give Gotham a 2-1 lead.

Gotham kept control through the second half and left few opportunities for the Reign to respond. Lavelle avoided defenders around midfield and found Veronica Latsko for a fast break shot on goal but Gotham keeper Mandy Haught deflected it safely away.

That ended up being the Reign's best opportunity for much of the second half.

With time winding down, Reign forward Elyse Bennett had a header grabbed by Haught at the edge of the box. Officials reviewed the play and ruled that Haught caught the ball outside of the box, resulting in a red card for the keeper.

With no substitutions left, Gotham midfielder Nealy Martin stepped up into goal for the closing minutes. The Reign only managed one shot on goal before the final whistle blew and Gotham earned their first NWSL championship in franchise history.

When is the next NWSL game? 

This is the final NWSL game of 2023. The league has not finalized the official start date for the 2024 season but it's likely to be around late March, as it was in 2023.

Red card for Gotham FC keeper Mandy Haught

Officials reviewed and decided Haught made contact outside the penalty box after a header by Elyse Bennett. She will be sent off and replaced in goal by Nealy Martin (90+8').

Gotham FC substitution: Stengel for Esther

Forward Katie Stengel comes in for Esther who scored the go-ahead goal in the first half (89').

OL Reign substitution: Bennett for Fishlock

Forward Elyse Bennett subs in for Jess Fishlock to help the Reign potetnitally score the equalizer (86').

Gotham FC substitution: Long for Sheehan

Forward Allie Long comes in for Delanie Sheehan (82').

OL Reign substitution: Quinn for Latsko

Forward Quinn comes in for one of the Reign's top scorers (76').

Gotham FC substitution: Farrelly for Ryan

Forward Sinead Farrelly enters the game for Yazmeen Ryan (69').

Closer look at Rose Lavelle's incredible touch

Latsko's shot ended up deflected but Lavelle's pass is highlight-reel material.

Purce's shot goes wide left of goal

Margaret Purce's shot from outside the box went far left of the goal (64').

Gotham keeper Haught blocks shot from Reign's Latsko

The Reign forward had a fast break and a shot on goal but Haught deflected it out of harm's way (60').

Gotham FC corner cleared by Reign

A great scoring chance for Gotham falls short as a pass is cleared from the box (59').

Megan Rapinoe injury update

The 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner came off the field in the opening minutes of the match. No word yet on the specific injury but we will update when more information is available. She's on the sidelines with crutches and icing her lower leg.

Balcer's shot sails just wide left of the goal

Balcer, in the game for the injured Megan Rapinoe, nearly scored the equalizer for OL Reign with a shot from just outside the box (50').

Esther signing pays off in a big way

Esther has been such a good pickup for Gotham. The Spain striker came to the NWSL after the World Cup, and her quality made an immediate difference. She had a pair of goals in her second start with the Bats, and her presence meant defenses could no longer simply clamp down on Lynn Williams. Now she’s given Gotham the lead, with her first playoff goal just before the halftime whistle.

-columnist Nancy Armour 

Esther González goal: midfielder scores header from center of the box

Esther gets the go-ahead goal for Gotham following a corner kick and pass from Purce (45+2').

Rose Lavelle's pass ruled offside, nullifies Jordyn Huitema goal

OL Reign scored the go-ahead goal but it was called back after Lavelle's entry pass was ruled offside (43').

Gotham can't connect on multiple shots in front of goal

Shots from Lynn Williams and Delanie Sheehan bounce off the goal and Reign keeper Claudia Dickey (37').

Williams starts the scoring

Of course the scoring was going to start with Lynn Williams. This is Williams’ fourth time in the NWSL Championship, having won her first title with the Western New York Flash and two with the North Carolina Courage. - columnist Nancy Armour

Rose Lavelle goal: midfielder notches equalizer

Lavelle took a pass by Balcer and a through ball on a fast break down the attacking side and connected to the back right of the goal (29').

Lynn Williams goal: forward scores from the center of the box

Gotham FC's leading scorer finds the net off a feed from Margaret Purce (24').

Shot by Williams goes over the net for Gotham FC

Lynn Williams' best opportunity of the game sailed over the goal from the center of the box (21').

Bethany Balcer enters the match for Rapinoe

The reserve forward enters the game for Rapinoe. She's scored seven goals along with one assist in 2023 (6').

Rapinoe leaves match with non-contact injury

Megan Rapinoe is visibly emotional as she's slow to get up after slipping in the attacking side of the pitch. She's walking off under her own power and hugs Ali Krieger before leaving the pitch (4').

Kickoff: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. OL Reign

The NWSL championship match is officially under way in San Diego.

How to watch the NWSL Championship, TV and streaming

When: Kickoff Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8:00 p.m., ET

Where: Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California

Cable TV: CBS

Streaming: Paramount+

Will this be the final game Megan Rapinoe plays?

This is Rapinoe's final soccer game. The 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner will end her career Saturday night against her longtime U.S. women's national teammate Krieger.

Nancy Armour:Retiring Megan Rapinoe didn't just change the game with the USWNT. She changed the world.

What does OL stand for in OL Reign?

The NWSL Championship offers a perfect opportunity for new viewers. Some of you may be wondering about the impetus behind some of the team's monikers, particularly OL Reign. 

As the club's site explains: "The club’s new name reflects the deep connection between one of the founding members of the NWSL, Seattle Reign FC, and one of Europe’s most iconic football brands, Olympique Lyonnais. The ties between the two clubs were cemented in December 2019, when OL Groupe acquired Reign FC." 

NWSL Championship predictions

CBS Sports: OL Reign 2, Gotham FC 1

Mike Goodman writes, "Megan Rapinoe has the headlines, and Latsko has the goals, but it's 22-year-old Jordyn Huitema who has been a reliable force across the attacking line with five goals as she plays foil to some of Reign's bigger names. Look for her to be difficult for Gotham to contain, even if she's not the one ultimately scoring the goals."

Cesar Hernandez, ESPN: OL Reign 1, Gotham FC 0

Hernandez writes, "This is going to be a tense one that could go either way, especially with how both could thrive defensively, but Reign have the slight advantage of staying local after playing at Snapdragon last week."

Jeff Kassouf, ESPN: Gotham FC 1, OL Reign 0

Kassouf says to "expect another tightly contested, gritty, defensive game in which Gotham pushes the right tactical buttons and shuts down the Reign's attack. Yazmeen Ryan scores the winner."

Ayrton Ostly, sports reporter: OL Reign 2, Gotham FC 1

Attention will rightfully be Rapinoe and Krieger in the final soccer game of their storied careers but Huitema and Veronica Latsko will find the back of the net again for the Reign. Gotham's Cinderella story ends just short of a championship title.

What's next for USWNT without Krieger and Rapinoe?

The U.S. women's national team had many new faces take central roles in this summer's World Cup. Fourteen of the 23 players played in their first World Cup.

Forwards Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith as well as midfielders Savannah DeMelo and Kristie Mewis made their first World Cup appearance.

The USWNT will have a new manager to open 2024. Chelsea FC women's manager Emma Hayes has been heavily rumored to become the next manager but the move is yet to be finalized.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will be the next manager's first challenge. The USWNT took bronze in Tokyo and failed to medal in Rio in 2016.

NWSL continues to grow in remarkable ways

The search for the newest NWSL team is on.

Commissioner Jessica Berman said Friday that the expansion process for the league’s 16^th team will open after Saturday’s NWSL Championship. The league, which currently has 12 teams, will expand to 14 with the Utah Royals and Bay Area FC in 2024, and add a 15^th team in Boston in 2026.

“Our preliminary analysis of the landscape is that we have more than a dozen qualified investor groups from different markets around the US who are extremely interested in the kinds of investment that we know is required in order to operate a successful team,” Berman said.

- by columnist Nancy Armour 

So much winning:Historic: NWSL signs largest broadcast deal in women's sports, adds additional TV partners

OL Reign starting XI

The Reign announced their lineup for the NWSL final:

• Forwards Megan Rapinoe, Jordyn Huitema, and Veronica Latsko
• Midfielders Rose Lavelle, Jess Fishlock, and Emily Sonnett
• Defenders McClernon, Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, and Sofia Huerta
• Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey

Subs include Laurel Ivory, Quinn, Angelina, Nikki Stanton, Bethany Bacler, Sam Hiatt, Tziarra King, Olivia Van Der Jagt, and Elyse Bennett.

Gotham FC starting XI

Gotham announced the following lineup for the NWSL final:

• Forwards Margaret Purce and Lynn Williams
• Midfielders Esther, Delanie Sheehan, Yazmeen Ryan, Jenna Nighswonger, and Maitane
• Defenders Ali Krieger, Nealy Martin, and Bruninha
• Goalkeeper Mandy Haught

Subs include Michelle Betos, Kelley O'Hara, Allie Long, Kristen Edmonds, Mana Shim, Kristie Mewis, Ellie Jean, Katie Stengel, and Sinead Farrelly.

NWSL postseason results

Six teams made the NWSL playoffs. The San Diego Wave FC won the NWSL Shield and were the top-seeded team in the postseason. The Portland Thorns FC finished second in the standings to secure a first-round bye in the postseason.

The North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Angel City FC, and Gotham FC took the remaining four playoff spots.

The Reign eliminated Angel City 1-0 and Gotham FC beat the Courage 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Gotham FC beat the Thorns 1-0 and the Reign won 1-0 over San Diego in the semifinals last weekend.

Whichever team wins Saturday night in San Diego will take its first NWSL title.

Megan Rapinoe season and career highlights

Rapinoe's scored four goals and five assists this season for the Reign, highlighted by a two-goal game in a win over the Chicago Red Stars.

The Redding, Calif. native first played for a U.S. women's national team in 2003 for the U-20 squad. On July 23, 2006, Rapinoe made her senior team debut against Ireland. Three months later, she scored her first goals for the national team against Taiwan.

Rapinoe won gold in 2012 and bronze in 2021 in her two Olympics appearances. She played in four women's World Cups in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. The U.S. won gold in 2015 and 2019, with Rapinoe earning Golden Ball and Gold Boot honors in the latter tournament.

Ali Krieger season and career highlights

Krieger's started in 23 of her 24 appearances for Gotham FC this season. At center back, she's been a key part of Gotham's defense, notching 29 tackles, 37 interceptions, and 20 blocks. She earned NWSL Best XI First Team honors for her play in 2023.

Krieger was first called up to the U.S. women's national team in January 2008 and was later named an alternate for the 2008 Olympics. She made her first World Cup in 2011 and was a key member of the team's defense. She returned for the 2015 World Cup and played in every match in the U.S. team's winning run.

Krieger was named to the 2019 World Cup squad once again but came off the bench, appearing in three games. Her only Olympic appearance came in 2016 when the U.S. lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks.

She's played in 108 total games for the U.S. women's national team with one goal and nine assists across those games.

NWSL Neutral site playoffs status

The NWSL Championship is going to be held at a neutral site for the foreseeable future.

Rather than holding the title game at the home of the top seed left, commissioner Jessica Berman said the NWSL has decided it’s better for the league to have the championship site known well in advance. It’s similar to what the NFL does for the Super Bowl and the NCAA does for its men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments.

“It allows for a proper leeway to plan,” Berman said Friday.

It also allows the NWSL to turn the title game into an extended event. There was a skills competition Friday night and a fan fest with a concert before Saturday’s game.

“All of those things would be really hard to plan if we had five days. Or perhaps impossible,” Berman said. 

Berman did say the playoffs will expand next year, from six to eight teams. A quarterfinal round will be added, and the top two seeds will no longer have a bye in the first round of the playoffs

-columnist Nancy Armour 

NWSL experiences positive growth in 2023

The NWSL saw another increase in attendance this season.

More than 1.2 million tickets were sold for the regular season, commissioner Jessica Berman said Friday, with average attendance up 26%. That follows a 50% increase in attendance last season.

While overall attendance was helped by record crowds in Seattle and San Diego – OL Reign drew 34,130 for Megan Rapinoe’s final regular-season game while the Wave had 32,000 for a game against Angel City FC – Berman said there was growth across the NWSL. Nine of the 12 teams had at least one game with 10,000 or more fans, she said, and every team saw a rise in attendance. This despite some of the league’s biggest stars being gone for more than a month for the World Cup.

“This is really the proof point that these are not isolated moments of success,” Berman said. “We have proven that people want to watch women’s soccer and they’re willing to pay to come and that we are worth the value.”

-columnist Nancy Armour

How old is Megan Rapinoe?

Megan Rapinoe is 38 years old. She's played professional soccer since 2009 after four years with the University of Portland.

How old is Ali Krieger?

Ali Krieger is 39 years old. She debuted in professional soccer in 2005 after her career with Penn State.

Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris split

Krieger and former USWNT goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris announced their engagement in March 2019. The two were married later that year after winning the 2019 World Cup together and adopted two children.

The couple played together on Orlando Pride for four years and were traded to Gotham FC in late 2021. Harris retired at the end of last season after becoming the first NWSL player to reach 500 career saves.

Krieger and Harris filed for divorce in September after four years of marriage.