### Gotham FC's Dramatic Journey to the NWSL Championship Gotham FC has made headlines by reaching the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Championship game after a thrilling 1-0 victory over the defending champions, Orlando Pride. The decisive moment came in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Jaedyn Shaw scored the match-winning goal, marking a significant upset in the playoffs. This victory not only propels Gotham FC into the championship but also ends the Pride's title defense, as they finish the season with 12 wins, the second-most in club history [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/gotham-reaches-nwsl-championship-game-012632569.html][https://clutchpoints.com/soccer/nwsl-news-gotham-fc-win-pride-title-defense-heartbreaking-end.html]. ### Breakdown of Gotham FC's Championship Path 1. **Quarterfinals Success**: Gotham FC, the eighth seed, upset the top-seeded Kansas City Current in the opening round of the playoffs, setting the stage for their semifinal clash against Orlando Pride [https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2025/11/15/one-win-away-gotham-fc-meets-orlando-for-a-chance-to-reach-nwsl-final.html]. 2. **Semifinal Match Against Orlando**: In a tightly contested semifinal match, Gotham faced the defending champions, Orlando Pride. The game was marked by intense competition, culminating in a dramatic stoppage-time goal by Jaedyn Shaw [https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/upset-in-orlando-gotham-fc-score-stoppage-time-winner-advance-to-nwsl-championship-final.html]. 3. **Key Player Performance**: Jaedyn Shaw emerged as a standout player, not only assisting in previous matches but also scoring the crucial goal that secured Gotham's place in the championship [https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/2025-nwsl-championship-gotham-fc-jaedyn-shawh-orlando-pride-washington-spirit.html]. 4. **End of the Pride's Season**: The loss for Orlando Pride marks a disappointing end to their title defense, despite finishing the season with a commendable record [https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/match-report-orlando-pride-falls-1-0-to-gotham-fc-in-nwsl-playoffs-semifinals.html]. ### Supporting Evidence of Gotham FC's Triumph - **Match Statistics**: - **Final Score**: Gotham FC 1, Orlando Pride 0 - **Winning Goal**: Jaedyn Shaw, 7th minute of stoppage time - **Pride's Season Record**: 12 wins, second-most in club history [https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/match-report-orlando-pride-falls-1-0-to-gotham-fc-in-nwsl-playoffs-semifinals.html]. - **Playoff Journey**: - **Quarterfinals**: Defeated Kansas City Current (Top Seed) - **Semifinals**: Defeated Orlando Pride (Defending Champions) [https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/gotham-fc-battles-reigning-champion-orlando-for-spot-in-nwsl-final/n-6300671]. ### Conclusion: Gotham FC's Path to Glory In summary, Gotham FC's remarkable journey to the NWSL Championship is characterized by: 1. **Upsetting the top seed** in the quarterfinals, showcasing their resilience and determination. 2. **A thrilling semifinal victory** against the defending champions, highlighted by a last-minute goal from Jaedyn Shaw. 3. **Ending Orlando Pride's title defense**, despite their strong season performance. Gotham FC's success not only reflects their growth as a team but also sets the stage for an exciting championship showdown [https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/orlando-pride-gotham-fc-nwsl-playoffs-k44070].