For the second year in a row, Washington Spirit's Championship hopes were dashed in a finals defeat. NJ/NY Gotham FC, who held the Spirit scoreless over four matches this year, became NWSL Champions in San Jose on Saturday night, thanks to a second-half goal by Rose Lavelle. It was a fast-paced, physical match on which Gotham were largely able to impose their style of play, meaning limited big chances for either team.

The Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC square off on Saturday at PayPal Park with the 2025 NWSL Championship up for grabs. Washington returns to the final for the second straight year, while Got…

A day that ended with Washington Spirit fans zipping across the skies like meteors began, contrastingly, with frustration-induced eye rolls. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert broke news about the status of Trinity Rodman’s contract negotiations, and it was news most feared. Rodman, a global superstar in talent, name recognition and personality, is out of contract this offseason and in line to earn a weightier wage than current NWSL salary cap limits allow.

For the third time in five seasons, Washington Spirit are headed to the NWSL Championship. Even better, they made getting there look so damn fun in Saturday's 2-0 match against the Portland Thorns. Throughout the match, the Spirit played with joy and confidence, stringing together attack after attack and quickly regaining the ball on Portland possessions. They outshot their opponents 10 to two in the first half, and the combination of Hal Hershfelt, Leicy Santos, and Croix Bethune was able to manage the formidable Thorns midfield, while the Spirit's dominance on the wings left Portland's wingers uncertain.