Gotham FC Advances to NWSL Semifinals with Win Over Seattle

Gotham FC scored the game-winning goal in the fifth minute of Sunday’s quarterfinal of the NWSL Playoffs and held on from there, securing a 1-0 win over the visiting Seattle Reign FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The top-seeded Gotham FC will host the fourth-seeded Kansas City Current in next weekend’s semifinals, with the time and date to be announced following Sunday’s second quarterfinal between Portland Washington.

It is Gotham FC’s fourth consecutive playoff win – and the fourth straight year coach Juan Carlos Amorós’s squad has reached the semifinals of the NWSL postseason.

“If you look at the commitment and the work from absolutely everyone on that pitch to make sure that they were not scoring that goal to equalize, outstanding,” said Amorós. “Moments to stop transitions, outstanding. Yes, we did not have the best game, but we added another clean sheet. I think it is unbelievable the way we defend as a collective. And that was the game that we had to play today, and that's the game that we won today, so I could not be any prouder of the players because every single one of them gave absolutely everything.”

Sunday’s win felt familiar for Gotham FC, the NWSL’s regular season champions. It was the eighth time this season Gotham FC won a game by a 1-0 scoreline and its 16th shutout across all NWSL competitions.

This time, Jaedyn Shaw’s corner caused chaos in Seattle’s penalty box. The 21-year-old whipped in a low cross to Seattle’s front post, and defender Jordyn Bugg’s mis-hit clearance caromed into her own goal.

Gotham FC, now 16-1-4 this year when scoring first, defended well from there, limiting Seattle to three shots on target. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made three saves, including a world-class left-hander that tipped a long-range effort just over the bar.

The win wasn’t the only good news on the day, with Gotham FC seeing stars Shaw and Rose Lavelle return to the starting line and standout midfielder Jaelin Howell keep her starting spot after a concerning fall and early substitution in last week’s regular season finale.

Shaw played all 90 minutes, while Lavelle put in a half and Howell registered 66 minutes in central midfield.

Now the attention turns to Kansas City. The teams split the regular season series, with each winning at home, but Gotham FC claimed the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup in June with a 2-0 victory.

Key Match Points

Gotham FC qualifies for the semifinals for the fourth straight season and will host one for the first time in club history.
- The club also became the first team in league history to win a playoff game without a shot on goal and only the second in any NWSL competition.
Gotham FC won a fourth straight playoff game, tying the club record from 2023-24 and the league record.
- The club extended the club and league record for consecutive playoff games with a goal to nine matches.
- Gotham FC set a new league record for a team with a third straight playoff shutout.
Gotham FC’s goal in the fourth minute marked the club’s earliest playoff goal.
Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós recorded his eighth playoff win, extending his league record.
Midfielders Rose Lavelle and Denise O’Sullivan started their 10th career playoff games, becoming the 14th and 15th players to achieve the mark in league history.
Forward Midge Purce recorded her eighth playoff appearance with Gotham FC, tying Bruninha for the club playoff record.
- Purce also recorded her eighth playoff start with Gotham FC, setting a new club playoff record.
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger tied Nicole Barnhart, AD Franch and Mandy McGlynn’s league record with her third playoff shutout.
- Berger passed McGlynn (2) for the club playoff shutout lead.
- She tied Aubrey Kingsbury for second in league history with her fifth goalkeeper playoff win.

Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign FC

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026

12:30 p.m. ET kickoff

Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J.

Attendance: 11,328

Weather: 60 degrees, sunny

Gotham FC (1, 0 – 1)

Seattle Reign FC (0, 0 – 0)

Scoring Summary

Gotham FC

4’ - Jordynn Bugg (own goal)

Gotham FC (4-3-3): 30 – Ann-Katrin Berger (GK); 22 – Mandy Freeman, 27 – Jess Carter, 15 – Tierna Davidson (C), 18 – Guro Reiten; 5 – Denise O’Sullivan, 7 – Jaelin Howell (66’ 13 – Savannah McCaskill), 16 – Rose Lavelle (45’ 4 – Leila Ouahabi); 23 – Midge Purce, 20 – Sam Kerr, 10 – Jaedyn Shaw

Unused substitutes: 1 – Shelby Hogan (GK), 8 – Taryn Torres, 14 – Talia Sommer, 21 – Sofia Cook, 24 – Andrea Kitahata, 25 – Meredith Speck, 29 – Olivia Wingate

Head coach: Juan Carlos Amorós

Seattle Reign FC (4-3-3): 1 – Claudia Dickey (GK); 24 – Madison Curry, 21 – Phoebe McClernon, 23 – Jordyn Bugg, 11 – Sofia Huerta; 10 – Jess Fishlock (C) (75’ 17 – Sally Menti), 16 – Ainsley McCammon (84’ 7 – Emeri Adames), 20 – Sam Meza; 30 – Nérilia Mondésir (74’ 12 – Holly Ward), 19 – Mia Fishel (63’ 13 – Brittany Ratcliffe), 2 – Maddie Mercado

Unused substitutes: 38 – Cassie Miller (GK); 8 – Angharad James-Turner, 14 – Emily Mason, 22 – Ryanne Brown, 25 – Shae Holmes

Head coach: Laura Harvey

Stats Summary

GFC / SEA

Expected Goals: 0.16 / 0.53

Shots: 5 / 11

Shots on Goal: 0 / 3

Saves: 3 / 0

Corners: 5 / 2

Fouls: 11 / 7

Offside: 2 / 3

Misconduct Summary