"But as the final minutes ticked away at PayPal Park on Saturday, Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle was the star of the moment, the player who found that "magic," as head coach Juan Carlos Amoros called it the day prior, for a 1-0 victory over Washington. Brilliance in those moments that matter carried Gotham through another unlikely playoff run to its second championship in three seasons."
"Gotham's championship triumph is the epitome of knockout soccer and the right timing to survive and advance. Gotham did exactly that throughout these playoffs, scraping by at times to defeat the record-setting Kansas City Current in the final seconds of extra time before knocking off the defending champions Orlando Pride in stoppage time on their only shot on goal in that semifinal."
Gotham FC captured the NWSL Championship with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit. Rose Lavelle emerged as the decisive figure, producing a trademark left-footed curling goal in the 80th minute. The match was largely a midfield stalemate with few transition chances. Gotham survived multiple close playoff matches, including last-second victories over Kansas City and a stoppage-time semifinal winner against Orlando. Washington suffered late setbacks, including an injury to midfielder Hal Hershfelt moments before the decisive goal. Gotham secured its second championship in three seasons, while Washington finished as runners-up for a second consecutive year.
Read at ESPN.com
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