In an exciting semi-final match played at Inter&Co Stadium, Jaedyn Shaw, a key player for Gotham FC, scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, securing a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pride, the current NWSL champion. Gotham, the team with the lowest seed in the competition, will face the Washington Spirit in the NWSL final, which will take place on Saturday at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. “I knew I had prepared myself for that moment, I have worked tirelessly on my free throws. I live for these moments”. Jaedyn Shaw Shaw, who previously shone in the quarterfinals against the Kansas City Current, proved her worth once more. Her arrival in Gotham in September, the result of a $1.25 million transfer from the North Carolina Courage, set a league record. Sunday’s goal, a masterful free kick, solidified her impact on the team. Shaw’s goal not only meant victory for Gotham, but also frustrated the Orlando Pride’s aspirations to defend their title, after winning the NWSL Shield and Championship last year.
Marta, an emblematic figure of Orlando Pride, expressed her discontent with the referee’s decision. Despite the defeat, Marta, who will turn 40 before the start of the next NWSL season, has not revealed her future plans. However, she affirmed that she still feels the passion for competing.Marta, after the defeat, declared that she will visit her family in Brazil. The player emphasized her commitment and motivation to continue competing.“It wasn’t a foul. We should lose the game anyway, but not this way.”
Marta
In the first part, Marta generated the clearest opportunity for Pride. After an individual play, she assisted Julie Doyle, whose cross was deflected by Emily Sonnett, preventing Jacquie Ovalle from scoring into an empty net. After Shaw’s goal, Pride had a free kick in the 100th minute, which Marta took, seeking to tie the game with a header from Oihane Hernández, but Gotham’s goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger, made an outstanding save. The arrival of Shaw could be key for Gotham to achieve its second championship in three years. Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros sees similarities between the current team and the one that won the title in 2023.“I’m not here to waste time. I never was. I’m still hungry. I don’t play for what I did in the past. I still feel like I can do something for this team, for my teammates, for my staff. I care a lot. I care.”
Marta
Gotham FC has scored 10 goals from set pieces this season, tied with their final rival, Washington, as the team with the most goals of this type, including the playoffs.“Honestly, it’s very similar in that sense. Obviously, a lot of different people, but I think, and this is what we’ve been talking about internally for a long time, we have everything to gain, and that depends on them. Because the key is that you can have individual talent, in this league everyone has it, but the differentiating factor is when individual talent really cares about winning not only for themselves, but for the person next to them.”
Juan Carlos Amoros
