Gotham says its titles came from the bottom. Now it starts on top.
The club says its 2023 and 2025 NWSL Championships came as the postseason’s lowest seed. Its first Shield brings home-field advantage through the semifinals, subject to venue availability.
About Gotham FC
Tom McMillan
Gotham FC says it won the 2023 and 2025 NWSL Championships as the lowest seed in each postseason. This season, it won its first Supporters’ Shield and enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. The contrast is sharp: Gotham’s last two titles came from the bottom of the bracket; now it has earned the most favorable starting position.
Gotham secured the Shield with a 2-0 win over Utah Royals in the regular-season finale. Guro Reiten scored in the ninth minute, and Jaedyn Shaw added the second in the 80th, after returning from a two-match absence with a knee injury. In its match report, the club said it set records for wins, points and shutouts. Its account of the finale also recorded 1.50 expected goals to Utah’s 0.50 and 29 touches in the opposition box to 10.
Coach Juan Carlos Amorós said Gotham’s goal from the start of the year was to be “consistent” and “always ready to win.” Defender Tierna Davidson said, “It has taken every single person on our roster to get to this point.” The Shield reflects a regular season that delivered on that ambition. It also changes the route through the playoffs.
The NWSL playoff format is single elimination. Higher seeds host quarterfinals and semifinals unless venue availability prevents it, so Gotham will host its quarterfinal against eighth-seeded Seattle Reign on Sunday, November 8. If Gotham advances, it would host its semifinal too. A tie after 90 minutes goes to extra time, then penalties if needed; there is no return leg.
Seattle reached that quarterfinal by winning on the final day, but its route should not be described as win-or-go-home. Before the match, Seattle’s preview said, “a win against Orlando and we’re in.” It also said the North Carolina-Denver result would come into play if Seattle did not win. Seattle did beat Orlando, 1-0. The Pride’s match report says Jordan Bugg scored in the 68th minute, reacting first to a loose ball after a corner. Gotham’s report names Seattle as its eighth-seeded opponent.
That pairing captures both sides of the seeding race. Gotham earned a home quarterfinal and the possibility of a home semifinal; Seattle turned a final-day win into the eighth seed. Gotham’s previous titles show that a low seed can still win the Championship, by the club’s account. This time its regular-season consistency has earned it a home start. It still has to beat Seattle to use it.
