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Match Preview: Gotham FC Battles Reigning Champion Orlando for Spot in NWSL Final |
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ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2025) - After knocking off the top-seeded Kansas City Current in the opening round of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel, eighth-seeded Gotham FC continues its postseason march Sunday, aiming to book a second trip to the NWSL Championship in three seasons when it faces the defending champion Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium. Kickoff for the semifinal is set for 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+. This marks Gotham FC’s third consecutive semifinal appearance – all on the road. The club earned its first semifinal victory in 2023, when Katie Stengel’s extra-time winner against the Portland Thorns sent Gotham to its first NWSL Championship, where it went on to capture its first league title. Stengel delivered another iconic moment in this year’s playoffs, scoring the decisive goal deep into stoppage time of extra time to lift Gotham past Kansas City, 2-1, at CPKC Stadium. The result marked the first time an eighth seed defeated a No. 1 seed since the playoff field expanded to eight teams in 2024 and handed Kansas City its first home loss of the 2025 campaign after setting NWSL records for most regular season goals, points and wins. The victory was also Gotham’s first in club history over the Current, and it set a league record as the club’s third road playoff win in its history. Jaedyn Shaw opened the scoring for Gotham midway through the second half with her first career playoff goal before Kansas City equalized in stoppage time. Stengel’s 121st-minute strike – her second career extra-time playoff winner – set an NWSL record for the latest game-winning goal in postseason history. Fourth-seeded Orlando advanced with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over the Seattle Reign at Inter&Co Stadium. Haley McCutcheon put the Pride ahead in the 21st minute, and a stoppage-time penalty from Luana sealed the victory. The reigning champions enter Sunday’s semifinal unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions. Sunday’s meeting marks the first postseason matchup and 28th all-time contest between the two clubs. Gotham holds the all-time series edge at 11-9-7, including an 8-4-2 record on the road against the Pride. In its most recent meeting at Inter&Co Stadium, Gotham earned a 2-0 victory behind goals from Esther González and Jaelin Howell. The winner of Sunday’s semifinal will advance to the 2025 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, on Nov. 22, where they will face either the Washington Spirit or Portland Thorns. Key Points:
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