Harrison, N.J. (08/08/2025) – This weekend, the Washington Spirit will face off against their regional rivals, Gotham FC, in the second and final regular season meeting of 2025. The match is set to kick off at noon EDT on Saturday, August 9, and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, with additional streaming available on ESPN+.
The Spirit come into this contest on a high note following a thrilling 2-1 victory against Portland at Audi Field, marking the first win for newly appointed Head Coach Adrián González. Under his leadership as Interim Head Coach last year, González achieved an impressive record of 10-4-1. In the match against Portland, star forward Trinity Rodman made a triumphant return after nearly four months away due to injury, scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. Rodman’s milestone achievement makes her the first player in league history to score three or more stoppage time winners in a regular season career.
In addition to Rodman’s remarkable comeback, defender Kate Wiesner also returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. The Spirit had a standout performance recognized by the NWSL this week, sweeping all four weekly awards, with Croix Bethune winning Player of the Week, and Rodman securing the Goal of the Week.
As they head into the weekend’s match, Washington enjoys a statistical advantage over Gotham FC in several major attacking categories, including goals, assists, and shots taken. However, they will need to enhance their possession game as Gotham ranks among the top teams in this area. Expect Gotham to focus on controlling the ball to limit the Spirit’s attacking opportunities.
The Spirit’s latest signing, Italian forward Sofia Cantore, is also set to make her debut. Cantore gained further recognition this week as she was nominated for the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin, marking a significant career milestone. This addition highlights the Spirit’s commitment to strengthening their roster, following previous nominations for other players, including Rodman.
On the other hand, Gotham FC arrives with momentum, having secured points over their last three matches (two wins, one draw) after overcoming a disappointing losing streak. They are currently positioned just above the playoff line and will be looking to capitalize on this momentum, particularly through their leading scorer, Esther González. With ten goals this season, González is tied for the NWSL Golden Boot lead and is also a contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin alongside Cantore.
Gotham’s goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger, has garnered attention as well, being nominated for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s top goalkeeper. Her strong performances have contributed to Gotham allowing only 14 goals in 14 matches, showcasing their robust defensive capabilities.
Historically, the Spirit have a slight edge in their series against Gotham, holding an all-time record of 14-11-6. Both teams have experienced recent trends, with the away side winning the last two encounters and the recent matches often resulting in shutouts.
As the Spirit and Gotham prepare to clash this weekend, fans can anticipate an exciting showdown that carries significant implications for both teams as they vie for playoff positions and personal accolades.