Washington Spirit duo Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun ended the year on a disappointing note after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League Championship final at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
The Spirit, hoping to banish the ghosts of 2024 when they also lost 1–0 in the final to Orlando Pride, suffered the same fate on Saturday. Rose Lavelle delivered the decisive blow in the 80th minute with a well-placed strike, breaking the resolve of the Spirit players and their supporters.
Super Falcons forward Gift Monday played the full match but struggled to make an impact, while Deborah Abiodun was introduced in the 81st minute, replacing forward Gabrielle Portilho.
Washington Spirit have now lost back-to-back finals and finished as runners-up three times overall. Their only NWSL title came in 2021.
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Monday and Abiodun had familiar company in the stands, as Super Falcons teammates Michelle Alozie and Asisat Oshoala were present to support them.
The victory marks Gotham FC’s third championship crown, adding to their 2009 and 2023 triumphs. Remarkably, they have never lost a championship final.
It was a dream conclusion to the season for Gotham FC, who only narrowly secured a playoff spot after finishing eighth in the regular-season standings. Washington Spirit, meanwhile, ended the campaign in second place with 12 wins, eight draws, and six losses.
Lavelle, the day’s hero, reflected on scoring the title-winning goal after missing the early part of the 2025 season due to an ankle injury.
“Bruninha served it on a platter. I just had to put it away. But yeah, happy to hit the net,” Lavelle told CBS TV.
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