The 2023 NWSL Championship was the tenth edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and took place on November 11, 2023. NJ/NY Gotham FC won 2–1 against OL Reign to become NWSL champions for the first time. The match was played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
Road to the final
OL Reign
After winning the NWSL Shield the previous year, OL Reign placed fourth in the 2023 regular-season standings, one point above the playoff line. In the first round of the playoffs, an 87th-minute goal scored by Veronica Latsko was the difference in the 1–0 win over fifth seed Angel City at Lumen Field, the Reign's first playoff win since 2015. In the semifinals, Latsko scored again in the 47th minute against the NWSL Shield champion San Diego Wave FC as the Reign won 1–0 to reach their third NWSL final.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
After a bottom-of-the-table finish the previous year, Gotham FC rose to sixth place in the 2023 regular season, making the playoffs on goal difference. In the first round of the playoffs, Delanie Sheehan and Yazmeen Ryan each scored as Gotham won 2–0 against the third seed North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park, giving Gotham their first NWSL playoff win. In the semifinals, Gotham won 1–0 against the second seed Portland Thorns FC, with Katie Stengel hitting the extra-time winner at Providence Park to send Gotham to their first NWSL final.
Match
Details
GK 30 Claudia DickeyLB 21 Phoebe McClernonCB 3 Lauren BarnesCB 4 Alana CookRB 11 Sofia HuertaCM 10 Jess Fishlock DM 2 Emily Sonnett AM 16 Rose LavelleLW 15 Megan Rapinoe FW 9 Jordyn HuitemaRW 24 Veronica Latsko Substitutes:GK 18 Laurel IvoryMF 5 Quinn MF 6 AngelinaMF 7 Nikki StantonFW 8 Bethany Balcer DF 17 Sam HiattFW 23 Tziarra KingMF 33 Olivia Van der JagtFW 34 Elyse Bennett Manager: Laura Harvey GK 24 Mandy Haught LB 32 Jenna NighswongerCB 11 Ali KriegerCB 77 MaitaneRB 3 BruninhaDM 14 Nealy MartinLM 10 Lynn WilliamsCM 17 Delanie Sheehan CM 18 Yazmeen Ryan RM 23 Midge PurceFW 9 Esther Substitutes:GK 1 Michelle BetosDF 5 Kelley O'HaraMF 6 Allie Long DF 12 Kristen EdmondsMF 13 Mana ShimMF 19 Kristie MewisDF 21 Ellie JeanFW 28 Katie Stengel MF 33 Sinead Farrelly Manager: Juan Carlos Amorós
Most Valuable Player: Midge Purce
Assistant referees: Jennifer Garner (United States) Katarzyna Wasiak (United States) Fourth official: Anya Voigt (United States) Video assistant referee: Kevin Broadley (United States)Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shootout if scores still level. Maximum of three substitutions.
References