Lavelle Wins The NWSL Championship For Gotham On A Thunderbolt Goal
Big players step up in big moments. That's exactly what Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle set about accomplishing under the intense spotlight of the NWSL Championship stage on Saturday.
Lavelle scored a sensational match-winning goal that will go down in the history books and highlight reels of the NWSL .
The 30-year-old USWNT midfielder pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and struck a precise, left-footed drive past Aubrey Kingsbury in the 80th minute. Charging full-back Bruninha created space with some fancy stepover moves and slid a ball directly into Lavelle's path.
Lavelle did the rest with a glorious finish. It was celebration time for diehard Gotham fans who made the trip west to San Jose's PayPal Park, as well as local fans who gathered in packed bars, restaurants and households across the New York metro area.
It was the kind of goal and moment that fans will speak fondly of decades from now when they recall exactly where they were when Lavelle struck the back of the net.
"It was maybe the one moment I had in the game to step up," Lavelle said. "I keep saying, I think Bruninha did the heavy lifting on that. It was a great ball across the box. Luckily, I was able to get there to finish."
Gotham would see out the match to win the NWSL Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit . After the final whistle blew, Gotham players joyfully raised the NWSL championship trophy. Lavelle was named MVP of the NWSL Championship match.
Yet to call one player MVP doesn't feel right for a Gotham team that succeeded across multiple competitions due to its wealth of squad depth and tight-knit togetherness.
Gotham’s NWSL Championship Triumph Was Fueled by Deep Team Bonds
Team captain Tierna Davidson and midfielder Taryn Torres missed out on the match due to season-ending knee injuries. Veteran defender Emily Sonnett spoke of the close bonds that exist inside the Gotham dressing room.
"Their presence is obviously huge," Sonnett said. "They're pumping us up in the locker room, which we absolutely love. Tierna doesn't show a lot of emotion, but man is she jumping around right now — and that's the glue, guys. They're a huge part, and their work obviously doesn't go unnoticed, and it all ends up coming together in moments like this."
That team spirit was on full display throughout Saturday's match. Though Washington had greater possession at 53 percent and completed more passes, Gotham leaned on the fierce determination needed to become champions once again.
It is the second time that Gotham and head coach Juan Carlos Amoros have been crowned as NWSL Champions. The club completed a 2025 trophy double, having previously won the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
Gotham FC will celebrate its NWSL championship victory at City Hall on Monday at 9 a.m. The event will be free for fans. Fans can reserve free tickets for the event below:
https://www.gothamfc.com/events/official-champions-celebration
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
