The 5 best games of Gotham FC's 2025 championship season

It has been repeated constantly, but NJ/NY Gotham FC had a roller coaster season in 2025. There were some lows, like ending the season in eighth place in the NWSL. But there were highs as well, like the CONCACAF W Champions Cup and NWSL Championship wins. It was not the best regular season, but the trophies won made things better.

Of course, the focus is now turning to 2026 as the Bats prepare for the upcoming campaign. Gotham will begin the season early since they have the FIFA Women's Champions Cup at the end of January. In other words, they could potentially play from January all the way through November. Then, after showing what they are capable of in the postseason, expectations to have a stronger regular season are high. Ideally, next year will not be a roller coaster ride.

Before Gotham FC heads into the new year, there were plenty of great matches to look back on. So, here are the top games from the 2025 season.

Gotham FC's top games of 2025

5. Friday, September 12: San Diego Wave FC 0, Gotham FC 2

Since Dan Diego Wave FC joined the NWSL, Gotham FC always struggled against the California team. But the NJ/NY side finally won against the Wave on the road this season, securing a 2-0 victory. It was not the best match by any means, but the Bats grew into the game, with Esther González and Jaedyn Shaw both finding the back of the net. This was Shaw's first game and goal with the club, giving fans a preview of what was to come toward the end of the season. Her debut and the first win on the road against the Wave are definitely highlights of 2025.

4. Friday, April 18: Angel City FC 0, Gotham FC 4

Another memorable road game occurred earlier in the season, when Gotham beat Angel City FC 4-0. The ladies were dominant against the other California side. They had almost 60% of the possession and kept Angel City to zero shots on target. This was also one of the games where González scored a brace. The overall excitement and the energy from the team gave fans hope that this would spark a remarkable regular season. That might not have happened, but winning 4-0 away from home is always a good thing.

3. Saturday, April 26: Washington Spirit 0, Gotham FC 3

In 2024, the Washington Spirit had the Bats' number. They were kryptonite, and there were worries that the same would happen in 2025. Thankfully, that was not the case, and the NJ/NY team squashed this idea in April. Unexpectedly, Gotham FC won 3-0 in Washington, D.C. with a strong defensive performance. The Spirit outshot them, but the visiting team had more shots on target. As a result, Sarah Schupansky, who scored her first NWSL goal, and González, who scored another brace, shocked everyone at Audi Field.

2. Saturday, November 22: Washington Spirit 0, Gotham FC 1

Another Washington game made the list, and some might be surprised that this is not rated the best game of the season. Gotham won the NWSL Championship 1-0, and it was close to take the top spot. Rose Lavelle's goal in the 80th minute determined the Bats' fate and secured the second championship in the last three years. The Spirit could not get off a clinical chance on goal, and truthfully, it felt like the match would go into extra time. But thankfully, Lavelle had other ideas, and this led to another trophy in 2025.

1. Sunday, November 9: Kansas City Current 1, Gotham FC 2

The best game of the season was clearly the quarterfinals of the NWSL Playoffs. Gotham faced the Kansas City Current, who beat them twice in the regular season, and won the NWSL Shield. Of all of the playoff fixtures and the upsets, this was one many, including fans, did not see coming. It was not easy, but the upset of the season saw the Bats win 2-1 in extra time. Katie Stengel scored the winning goal, right before the teams were supposed to go into a penalty kick shootout. Shaw scored the other goal, which was the first of her two playoff goals that helped Gotham FC's fantastic run to the Championship.