What each set of possible Gotham FC results from their final two regular season matches would do for their chances of clinching a first NWSL Shield in franchise history.
US Soccer confirmed the launch of a new cup competition for the highest tier of professional women's soccer, with a $1.1 million prize on the line.
Standout rookie attacker Jordynn Dudley was ruled out for the season, as was defender Bruninha, while Jaedyn Shaw left United States U-23 camp early with a "minor" injury that raises questions about her status heading into the season's final matches.
A 91st-minute goal for Angel City's Taylor Suarez canceled out Jaedyn Shaw's 10th of the season for Gotham, with the 1-1 draw enough for Gotham to clinch a home playoff match, but not enough to build a bigger lead atop the NWSL standings.
Jaedyn Shaw is helping push Gotham to a first-ever NWSL Shield, but her breakout individual season wasn't enough for the 21-year-old to keep her spot on the United States women's national team roster for two October friendlies against Spain.
Guro Reiten picked up a historic first NWSL goal with a sparkling early strike, then Jaedyn Shaw finished off a fluid team move to get Gotham a 2-1 win and erase the disappointment of a heavy loss to Denver.
Lavelle is up for the overall women's Ballon d'Or, Berger is trying to win Women's Goalkeeper of the Year after finishing second in 2025, though Gotham FC itself was shut out of a Club of the Year nomination.
The Bats fell 3-0 to the Summit on a trio of second-half goals and saw their club-record unbeaten run end and their NWSL Shield lead shrink.
Gotham FC extended its unbeaten streak to 10 matches with a 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns FC, as Jaedyn Shaw's stunning goal from distance got canceled out by a 75th-minute PK for Portland's Sophia Wilson.
The German became the first NWSL goalkeeper to earn 10 shutouts in back-to-back seasons, with Gotham's 0-0 draw extending their unbeaten run to nine matches and extending their lead at the top of the NWSL table.
Jaedyn Shaw's first-half goal from a Jordynn Dudley assist was enough for Gotham to beat San Diego Wave 1-0, Gotham's third straight 1-0 victory and their 12th clean sheet of the season.
Kerr missed an early penalty but made up for it by scoring a 46th-minute winner, while goalkeeper Shelby Hogan kept another clean sheet to keep Gotham unbeaten in six and make it back-to-back 1-0 wins to close out a three-match road trip.
Gotham remains in second place in the NWSL table after a Purce goal scored 119 seconds into the match held up thanks to another clean sheet kept, the 10th shutout for the Bats so far this season.
Gotham played to a 2-2 away draw with the Thorns that extended Gotham's unbeaten run to four straight, but Emily Sonnett went down inside 10 minutes with what looked like a serious knee injury.
Esther González's brace off the bench and a Rose Lavelle stoppage-time winner lifted Gotham to the top of the NWSL table and a third straight win.
Several Gotham fans expressed excitement for the move to Queens in 2028 after getting a taste of the atmosphere, and the commute, for The Queens Classic.
