3 things we learned from Gotham FC's semifinal win over the Orlando Pride | OneFootball

After a superb upset win in extra time against the Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC traveled to Florida to take on the Orlando Pride.  Making the semifinal of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs was unexpected, especially since the Bats struggled at the end of the regular season.  Yet, they made it, and that alone was an accomplishment.  But they were not done.  In the dying minutes of stoppage time, a late goal secured a 1-0 win, and the ladies are heading to the NWSL Championship.

Both teams did well defensively, and it felt like the winner would come down to either a mistake or a great goal.  The way Gotham FC was closed down in the box throughout the match raised the question of whether this would end in a 0-0 draw and head into extra time.  But in the fifth minute of stoppage time, the NJ/NY side received a free kick.

Jaedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle both stepped to take the free kick, which was about a yard away from the box on the left side.  It was assumed that Lavelle would take it, but instead, Shaw sent the ball into the box and toward the goal.  Midge Purce chased after and tried to score, but missed.  The ball still rolled into the bottom right side of the goal, winning the match.

As always, there is plenty to talk about after the match.  Here are three things we learned from the semifinal battle between Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride.

Ann-Katrin Berger is a hero

After the fact, the focus will be on Shaw, and rightfully so.  Her goal was absolutely brilliant.  The way it dipped and went in low means she took the kick and had an angle that not many would be able to produce.  However, to not mention Ann-Katrin Berger and how she was a hero would be a disservice.

The Gotham FC goalkeeper was not the busiest when it came to saves, for she had just two during the fixture.  There were multiple moments she prevented shots from being created by catching and stopping crosses.

But there was one save that made her the hero and ensured that the Bats won the match.  With seconds remaining, Orlando had a free kick.  Marta sent the ball into the box, and Oihane Hernández powerfully headed it toward the top left corner.  Berger had to react swiftly and jumped up in such an awkward way to send the ball out of danger.

The one hand save kept the score at 1-0, and Gotham FC is now heading to the finals for the second time in three years.  The goalkeeper has been vital in an up-and-down season, and now she has brought joy to the Bats and the fans, keeping the team in the playoffs.

Gotham and Orlando should complain

As mentioned, this was a great defensive game.  Orlando outshot Gotham 11 to five, but only had two shots on target.  At the same time, the NJ/NY team had one goal on target, meaning that they did not have a shot on goal until the end of stoppage time when Shaw scored.

Regardless, both teams defended well, and it was an exciting game.  But in the end, the two sides should complain.  The referee, Alyssa Pennington, was ultimately poor.  The idea of letting them play is always a great way to conduct the game, but this time, she allowed too much.

Multiple fouls should have been called on Gotham and Orlando.  There were a few tackles that would have been called in other matches, and sometimes it was puzzling that she failed to make these calls.  There were a few pushes that were not called, and sometimes it felt like fans were watching a light rugby match with how much contact was allowed.

In complete honesty, Gotham FC is lucky that nobody got seriously hurt.  There are some concerns with Berger, which is common, and Lilly Reale.  But otherwise, it could have been ugly.

Gotham FC proves the playoffs are different

Back in 2023, Gotham FC was in the last playoff spot when they made the postseason.  Of course, the standings between first and sixth place, which was the last spot, were closer at the time.  Nevertheless, the Bats struggled a little to end that season, and turned things around in the playoffs, winning their first NWSL Championship.

Sure, many of the players from then are sadly no longer with the team.  But the club as a whole knows that once the regular season ends and the playoffs begin, it is like a switch.  Anything can happen.

And, as 2025 goes, Gotham FC has proven that anything truly can happen.  The team won against the Kansas City Current and the Orlando Pride.  They will now play in the NWSL Championship, which will be in a neutral venue.  Yes, there is the argument against that, but at least they will not have to worry about a crazy crowd that is full of the Washington Spirit fans.  Instead, the ladies can play their game and try to lift another trophy.