2025 NWSL Semifinals: Clash of Champions and Challengers
The 2025 NWSL semi-finals promise strong emotions, with the four most recent league champions fighting for a place in the final. However, the story of this season is not as predictable as it seems.
The NJ/NY Gotham FC, champion in 2023, reaches Sunday’s semifinal against the Orlando Pride, the current champion, as the eighth seed, after staging the biggest upset in NWSL playoff history. Gotham defeated the Kansas City Current, the number one team, with a score of 2-1 in extra time, ending the Current’s record season in points (65) and wins (21).
The Washington Spirit, champions in 2021, who lost last year’s final to Orlando, will face the Portland Thorns in the other semifinal on Saturday. The Thorns have been the gold standard of the NWSL since its inception in 2013, winning three league titles and two Shields.
However, this year’s Thorns are surprising semifinalists. Of the starters from the 2022 NWSL championship, only captain Sam Coffey remains a starter three years later. The squad has undergone changes due to transfers and retirements, and Portland endured a series of injuries at the beginning of the season, in addition to the absence of the 2022 NWSL MVP, Sophia Wilson.
Who will advance to the 2025 NWSL final in San Jose, California, on November 22nd? Here’s how the semi-finals could unfold.
(4) Orlando Pride vs. (8) NJ/NY Gotham FC
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
The Orlando Pride, after a dominant season last year, where they won the double of regular season and playoff champions, has had a more complicated year. Despite the outstanding performance of Marta, and the emergence of Barbra Banda, the Pride suffered a nine-game winless streak. However, the team showed its best version in the quarter-final victory against the Seattle Reign FC.Marta y el Orlando Pride buscan repetir como campeonas.The Gotham arrives at these semifinals with extra motivation. The New York/New Jersey team won the 2023 title as the sixth seed and seriously competed for three trophies last year. In addition, Gotham won the Concacaf W Champions Cup in Mexico in May, becoming the region’s first champion and securing a spot in the first FIFA Club World Cup competition in January.
The arrival of Jaedyn Shaw in September helped Gotham reach a new offensive level, quickly connecting with Rose Lavelle. The big unknown is again the health of Spanish forward Esther González, who has not played in a month due to a hip injury.
(2) Washington Spirit vs. (3) Portland Thorns
Saturday, noon ET
The Spirit faces a significant challenge, with USWNT star Trinity Rodman dealing with injury issues. The team’s defense has also been affected by injuries to Tara McKeown and Gabby Carle.
For their part, the Thorns have also suffered significant losses due to injury, including Marie Müller, Nicole Payne, and Morgan Weaver. Despite these difficulties, the team has the experience of Sam Coffey and Olivia Moultrie, who have taken on a key role in midfield.
