District v. Empire Set for NWSL Championship Showdown

The stage is set for a rivalry-packed NWSL Championship as NY/NJ Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit prepare to clash in what fans have dubbed the “District v. Empire” battle.

As one Spirit player put it, “every time we play NY/NJ, something crazy happens.” This weekend, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Championship Context

This year’s title match delivers a compelling East Coast storyline. The teams meet Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at PayPal Park in San Jose (CBS/Paramount+), marking the fourth time the rivals have faced off this season.

For Washington, it’s a second straight appearance in the final—an opportunity for redemption after falling short a year ago. As the Spirit noted after advancing, “it’s our chance to finish what we couldn’t last season.”

Gotham, on the other hand, arrives with a chip on its shoulder. Following a major offseason overhaul and a roller-coaster regular season, players have embraced the underdog label. Midfielder Jaedyn Shaw had a different take after a postseason win, saying, “underdogs my ass.”

Washington Spirit: Redemption Road

The Spirit enter the final anchored by one of the deepest rosters in the league. Despite early-season adversity—missing 2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune and navigating injuries to star forward Trinity Rodman—Washington’s attack has stayed consistent.

A major storyline has been the rise of forward Gift Monday, who has led the Spirit with 10 regular-season goals. Returning from Nigeria after her father’s passing, Monday delivered emotional back-to-back playoff goals, dedicating them to him: “These goals are for my father.”

Washington’s last title run ended in heartbreak as injuries derailed its momentum and Orlando completed a Cinderella finish. This time, the Spirit insist the moment won’t slip away again.

NY/NJ Gotham FC: Defying the Odds

Gotham’s path to the final has been anything but smooth. The club weathered the departures of key players—Lynn Biyendolo, Crystal Dunn, Yazmeen Ryan, Jenna Nighswonger—and early-season injuries to national star Rose Lavelle and captain Tierna Davidson.

Despite the setbacks, Gotham leaned on:

The team surged, faltered, surged again—dropping from third to eighth late in the season before sneaking into the playoffs.

Once in, Gotham shocked the league by eliminating the top-seeded Kansas City Current and then toppling Orlando. Shaw, acquired midseason in a record $1.25 million transfer, scored in both playoff wins and punctuated Gotham’s gritty identity:“This team fights to the very end. This team plays for each other, and it’s contagious.”

Rivalry Recap: Head-to-Head

This will be the fourth meeting between the clubs in 2024:

Add in last season’s postseason elimination—when Washington knocked out Gotham in a dramatic penalty shootout—and you have one of the league's fiercest ongoing feuds.

What’s at Stake

For Washington:A shot at redemption and a chance to validate one of the league’s most complete rosters.

For Gotham:Proof that their rebuild worked—and a championship to silence every doubt.

As the showdown approaches, both sides agree on one thing: this rivalry always delivers drama. In the words of Spirit defender Tara McKeown, “something crazy happens every time.”