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Jeff Kassouf
NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit have secured their spots in the NWSL Championship following two thrilling semifinal matches.
Jeff Kassouf analyzes the key moments from the NWSL’s crucial playoff weekend.
Marta’s Magic Falls Short for Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. — As the NWSL semifinal at Inter&Co Stadium progressed into stoppage time on Sunday, Orlando Pride forward Marta was already strategizing for potential extra time and a hoped return to the championship match in the Bay Area, where she spent 15 years of her career.
The match, although filled with stars, lacked offensive excitement until the seventh minute of added time. That’s when NJ/NY Gotham FC player Jaedyn Shaw executed a curling free kick that sealed a 1-0 victory over the reigning champions, advancing her team to next week’s championship.
On Sunday, Marta stepped in as Orlando’s No. 9, a testament to the absence of injured forward Barbra Banda. Banda’s stellar form fueled the Pride to last year’s championship following a remarkable unbeaten streak. However, this year the team has struggled with consistency, including a disheartening eight-game winless run that jeopardized their playoff chances.
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As fall set in, Orlando found its rhythm with a strong quarterfinal win over the Seattle Reign. In the semifinal match, Orlando was the more dominant team, but Gotham mustered a mere 0.17 expected goals, managing only one shot on target—the decisive free kick—while Orlando struggled to convert their opportunities.
“We showed incredible resilience this season,” Marta reflected. “I wonder if anyone believed in us, especially after losing Barbra. We had to adapt and work better together, creating space and anticipating each other’s scoring chances.”
During her emotional press conference, Marta paused frequently to collect herself, proudly showcasing the championship star on her jersey awarded for last year’s victory. “We earned this star together as a team,” she emphasized. “I would choose to have one star achieved through teamwork over an abundance of individual accolades.”
The legendary Brazilian, a six-time world player of the year, remains uncertain about her future. Having signed a two-year extension in January, she will remain with the Pride through 2026. However, time is not on her side, and reality looms about the fact that this could be her final season—a loss that would be felt across the soccer world. Despite this, she has continually defied age.
Last year, she propelled the Pride to their first titles while netting nine goals. On Sunday, she showcased her skill right from the start, battling for possession against Gotham defender Jess Carter and creating several clear scoring chances for her team.
One such opportunity arose in the 33rd minute when Marta cleverly passed to Julie Doyle, who delivered a precise low cross to the back post. However, Gotham’s defender Emily Sonnett slightly altered its trajectory, denying the chance to score for Pride winger Jacquie Ovalle, who was poised for an open-net finish.
Marta nearly equalized in the dying moments with a free kick directed towards Oihane Hernández, but Gotham’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a crucial diving save.
After the match, Orlando’s head coach Seb Hines expressed pride in the team’s growth from a “one-dimensional” squad to one capable of maintaining possession and creating opportunities.
“Combining our approaches will make us a much more dangerous team next year,” Hines noted. “We don’t need major changes; we need to enhance our consistency.”
Once they regain Banda, who suffered an adductor injury in August, Orlando will see a return of critical transition plays. The Pride have demonstrated during this playoff run that they possess the foundation of a championship-caliber team.
Center back Emily Sams delivered another stellar performance defensively, and players like Ovalle—who has found her form after a record $1.5 million summer transfer—bolster the team’s depth. With two expansion teams joining the NWSL, an offseason overhaul is likely forthcoming.
Questions surrounding Marta’s future remain, especially regarding her desire to continue playing. After expressing her hunger before Sunday’s match, she confirmed she would be heading to Brazil for family reasons and a holiday. If she does return, will she continue to defy expectations with such stellar performances as she turns 40 before the next NWSL season?
These questions echo those from last year following the team’s emotional championship victory, which was her first in the NWSL. Marta revealed her anxiety on the day of the match, stating she struggled to eat in anticipation. “I’ve played in World Cup and Olympic finals, but this felt different.”
In her poignant assessment of the season’s conclusion, Marta’s passion was evident. “I’m not here to waste my time; I’m as hungry as ever. I don’t play for my past accomplishments but for this team and my teammates. It truly matters to me. I hope we return next year with the same strong mentality, belief, and determination—we deserve much more.”
Spirit’s Tenacity Pays Off
Time seemed to freeze for Washington Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi as she sprinted down the sideline during the semifinal match against the Portland Thorns, sealing a 2-0 triumph on Saturday at Audi Field.
Kouassi showcased remarkable speed and agility, successfully keeping the ball in play before assisting Gift Monday for a goal moments later, which exemplified Washington’s relentless first-half pressure, guaranteeing their spot in the championship match for a second consecutive year.
This victory exemplified the Spirit’s recent success, rooted in teamwork and sheer effort rather than relying on star power like that of forward Trinity Rodman, who has been recovering from an MCL sprain suffered last month.
As they face the Thorns, the Spirit executed their plan with finesse, taking full advantage of their high-pressure style of play. This performance stands as a testament to their perseverance in overcoming numerous obstacles: injuries to key players, a midseason coaching change, and the external pressures of competing against record-breaking teams.
With preparations focused on mental resilience over tactical nuances, all contributing to a prevailing sense of confidence that drove them through the playoffs, the Spirit are ready to take on another championship challenge.
Without the necessity of extra time in Saturday’s semifinal, González praised how the players’ experiences and hard-won memories shaped their current capabilities on the pitch. The Spirit are poised for a rematch against the Pride on November 22 in San Jose, California as they strive for championship glory.