NWSL semifinals preview: Gotham, Pride, Sprit and Thorns clash
2 min readThe four most recent NWSL champions are also the 2025 semifinalists. If that sounds predictable, it isn’t — at least, not entirely.NJ/NY Gotham FC (the 2023 champions) arrive in Sunday’s semifinal against the reigning champion Orlando Pride (3 p.m. ET, ABC / ESPN Deportes / ESPN+) as the No. 8 seed that just pulled off the biggest upset in NWSL playoff history. Gotham defeated the No. 1-seeded Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time, ending the Current’s record-breaking season for points (65) and wins (21). Kansas City won the NWSL Shield by finishing 21 points ahead of the second-place Washington Spirit.The Spirit, champions in 2021, lost last year’s final to Orlando and finished second in the league again this season. On Saturday, they host the Portland Thorns in the other semifinal (12 p.m. ET). The Thorns have been the gold standard of the NWSL since its launch in 2013, winning three league titles, most recently in 2022, and two NWSL Shields.These Thorns, however, are surprising semifinalists. Of the starters from that 2022 NWSL Championship, only captain Sam Coffey is currently a starter three years later. The roster has turned over due to trades and retirement, and Portland endured a wave of early-season injury blows on top of the absence of 2022 NWSL MVP Sophia Wilson, who recently gave birth to her first child.Who will advance to the 2025 NWSL Championship in San Jose, California, on Nov. 22? Here’s how the semifinals could play out.
That skid ended with a 2-1 win over the San Diego Wave on Sept. 26, and Orlando has not lost since. The Pride, even without Banda, looked like their yesteryear selves in a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Seattle Reign FC last week. Midfielder Haley McCutcheon returned to her playoff scoring ways, Emily Sams led a stingy defensive performance, and Marta dialed back the clock again in epic 70-yard run in stoppage time to earn a penalty kick.A passionate Marta spoke postgame about people disrespecting the Pride, who are “still the champions.””But at the same time, I like when people talk so much s— about Pride and don’t give credit, because it makes me feel good,” she said. “It makes me feel like I want to go and play and prove they’re completely wrong.”