The 2026 NWSL season just wrapped up the regular season and, wow, Gotham FC absolutely dominated, snagging their first-ever NWSL Shield last Sunday. This squad is on a whole different level, already looking for their second straight NWSL Championship, and they’ve done it despite some brutal injury setbacks.
Gotham’s Record-Breaking Run Is No Underdog Story
Remember last year when Jaedyn Shaw dropped that “underdog my a**” line? Well, this year, Gotham isn’t playing the underdog role anymore, not even close. They just shattered a club record, hitting an incredible 61 points in a single season. That’s a massive jump from their previous high of 56 points back in 2024. Talk about raising the bar! On Decision Day, they clinched the Shield with a solid 2-0 win over Utah Royals, marking their longest postseason streak in 13 years with four consecutive playoff appearances.
Even with veteran center back Emily Sonnett and rookie forward Jordyn Dudley sidelined with season-ending injuries, this team didn’t miss a beat. Why? Because they’re stacked. You’ve got Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten, and Denise O’Sullivan tearing it up alongside established Gotham talent like Rose Lavelle and Shaw. Their stats are just wild: goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger led the whole league with a ridiculously low 0.85 goals-against average. They conceded the fewest goals all season (just 23!) and even completed the most passes, racking up 15,681. This team is legit, from front to back, and they’re proving last year’s title was no fluke.
Chicago’s Woes, New Blood, and the Playoff Picture
While Gotham was busy making history, the Chicago Stars, one of the NWSL’s oldest and most historic clubs, had another rough year. These guys, originally the Chicago Red Stars and a founding member of WPS before joining the NWSL in 2013, have hit the NWSL Championship twice before (2019 and 2021). But lately? It’s been bottom-of-the-table disappointment, again. It’s frustrating to see such a foundational club struggle like that.
On the flip side, the league itself is just exploding. We saw two new franchises hit the pitch this season: the Denver Summit and Boston Legacy. Denver even pulled off a record-breaking crowd for their inaugural match. The NWSL now runs with 16 teams, and it’s only getting bigger, with Atlanta and Columbus joining the party in 2028 to make it 18. Yeah, there was some chaos with the High Impact Player (HIP) rule and a crazy wave of injuries sidelining top talent, but the league is bigger than ever, with Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson even returning to the pitch as super-moms. Oh, and Ashley Sanchez, the Courage midfielder, had a breakout campaign, totally lighting it up and grabbing the Golden Boot. That’s a huge win for her!
Now, with the regular season in the books, it’s all about the playoffs. Gotham is dead set on winning that NWSL Championship for the second year in a row. Utah Royals are making their first postseason appearance, which is awesome. And keep an eye on Angel City and San Diego Wave, both heading into the playoffs with some seriously impressive unbeaten streaks. The road to the NWSL Championship is wide open, and it’s going to be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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