One of NWSL's Biggest Upsets Ever 😱

Plus, a D1 college goal you have to see.

November 11, 2025

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

The first round of the NWSL playoffs did not disappoint: We had PKs, we had upsets, we had Marta looking like the fastest player in the world. It was such an incredible weekend of games and now the semifinals are set. I can’t help but feel for Kansas City as their historic season comes to an end… but what a showing for Gotham, who upset the Current at CPKC Stadium. I had no idea what to expect before and now it feels like absolutely anything could happen. 🤯

Lynn and I are breaking everything down on this week’s episode of “Good Vibes FC,” plus, we’re sharing our Best XIs from this NWSL season. On Thursday, we’ll check in with Gotham’s Jaelin Howell about the big upset and her incredible performance. Then on Friday, Kristie and I are back with another episode of “Mewis Squared”!

I am getting so excited for TWG’s live show during NWSL Championship weekend at The Glasshouse in San Jose on Nov. 20. We have some exciting guest announcements heading your way soon and cannot wait to highlight this incredible NWSL season. Fingers crossed it’s warm in California!

Thank you all so much for being here.

Love,
Sam

The NWSL Semifinals Are Set After a Wild Weekend 🏆

Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ABC) 💜🗽

The reigning NWSL champions, Orlando Pride, were the first team to book their spot in this year’s semifinals. In a Decision Day rematch (which saw Orlando draw Seattle at home last Sunday), Orlando beat Seattle Reign 2-0 in Florida. English goalkeeper Anna Moorehouse made a notable eight saves for Orlando in the Friday victory, which was essential in a match that saw the hosts outshot eight to two on target. 

Then Sunday in Kansas City, Gotham pulled off a gargantuan upset along the Missouri River. The Bats beat the record-setting Shield winners 2-1 with goals from Jaedyn Shaw (fresh off a contract extension) and former Liverpool striker Katie Stengel, who scored the match-winner in the 120th minute. After a historic season, which saw the runaway first-place Current look infallible for large swaths of the campaign, Sunday’s shock loss marked their first of the year at CPKC Stadium.

Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, CBS) 🖤🌹

The second-placed Spirit will stay at home through the semi-final after beating playoff debutantes Racing Louisville in penalties. Saturday’s contest at Audi Field saw both keepers make seven saves before penalties arrived in a match that finished 1-1 in regulation time thanks to Kayla Fischer’s 92nd-minute lofted goal (making history as Louisville’s first playoff goal in club history), which cancelled out Gift Monday’s go-ahead goal for the home side. 

  • Sam's Take 🗣️: The goalkeeping was on full display this weekend. Between Aubrey Kingsbury's PK saves for the Spirit and AKB's game saving acrobatics for Gotham, the keepers are out here to win championships.

They’ll host Portland—who won their third NWSL Championship at Audi Field back in 2022—after the Thorns overcame an ascendant San Diego squad 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal from Reilyn Turner.

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Across the Pond 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea 

Playing in front of 56,537 fans at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, 21-year-old Alyssa Thompson scored her first regular-season goal for the Blues (after notching her first club goal in the Champions League) to give the formerly first-placed side some early momentum. The Gunners, who finished the weekend in fourth place of England’s top flight, fought back in front of a reliably raucous home crowd to claim the point thanks to Alessia Russo’s (who else?) 87th-minute equalizer. With the draw, Chelsea dropped to second place in the table behind Manchester City. 

  • Sam's Take 🗣️: There were some questionable calls in this game, but 1-1 felt like a fair finish. Alyssa Thompson's goal was an absolute beauty but Arsenal did well to fight back and split the points. I'm shook to see Chelsea drop down to second place but there's a long season ahead!

Next Derby on Deck: Next weekend, first-placed Manchester City plays third-placed Manchester United (who picked up their first loss of the year against Aston Villa over the weekend) in the first Manchester derby of the season. (Saturday, 8:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)

🥤 Olipop power everything we do here at The Women’s Game. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

UEFA Women’s Champions League Returns 🏆

The Champions League is back in action this week with matchday three of the inaugural league phase. With two games down and four to go, five of 18 teams have won both early tests, while five others have yet to pick up a point. Here are a few key matchups to watch:

Bayern vs. Arsenal (Wednesday, 12:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇩🇪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Last season, the Gunners fell to Bayern in their first, early meeting, shortly before turning their season around in their domestic and continental campaigns. They meet again in this year’s newly re-formatted league phase for a one-off test that could be pivotal for both sides.

Manchester United vs. PSG (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇫🇷

United will host its second UWCL home game while appearing in the tournament for the first time. They’re off to a seismic start, as one of just five teams to take two wins from their first two games. They’ll play French club PSG, who are sitting at the opposite end of the table with zero wins from their first two tests of the league phase.

Goals of the Weekend, Presented by New Balance 💥

News & Notes 🗞️

  • Canada’s Northern Super League wrapped up its inaugural season playoff semifinal last night, with Toronto AFC beating the Montreal Roses 4-1 (6-1 on aggregate). Next Saturday, the league’s first-ever Championship takes place between Toronto and Vancouver Rise FC, who beat Ottawa Rapid FC in penalties over the weekend after the two finished 6-6 in two legs.

  • For the first time, Football Manager 26 includes women’s football, with 40,000 players from 14 playable leagues. 

  • According to reports from over the weekend, the NWSL will add its 17th franchise in Atlanta, for a record-breaking $165-million expansion fee.

Crafted for Speed. Speed Matters.⚡️

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It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

This week’s question: Katie Stengel’s game-winning goal in the 120th minute of extra time against first-placed Kansas City was not her first game-winning goal against a higher-ranked playoff opponent. En route to Gotham’s 2023 Championship trophy, who did Stengel score a winner against?

Respond to this email (or reply here) for a chance to win a coveted TWG patch.

Last week’s answer: After winning the Golden Boot in 2024 and now 2025, Temwa Chawinga became just the second player in NWSL history to win the award in multiple seasons. The first player to achieve this was, of course, Sam Kerr.

Congrats to Danielle Ferretti, who was the first person to respond with the correct answer. Danielle, the patch is on its way! 💌

Moment of Joy 🤸

Julia writes: Hi! I just wanted to write to say how much my sister and I are LOVING your podcast. We played soccer together growing up like you and Kristie and continued through high school and college on the same team (though sadly our careers ended there) and feel such a connection to your sisterly bond over the game. Also the jokes and sense of humor are so similar to our own that we are constantly texting each other and giggling about different lines. I recently moved halfway across the world to Malaysia so having this podcast (where you also talk about having one sister abroad) has been just a joyful connection for us.

Anyway, I just wanted to write and say thank you Mewis Squared! 

Sincerely,
Julia M. (and Maggie though she doesn't know I am writing this so hoping to surprise her with a shout out!) 

Sam writes: Hi Julia! Sisters are just the best. I know how hard it is to live far away from your sister and am happy Kristie and I’s crazy ramblings on Mewis Squared each week helps you feel connected. I do feel so lucky I get to make this show with Kristie and it gives us another excuse to spend more time with each other. Thanks for listening!

Sam

📝 Want to be featured in next week’s TWG newsletter? Send Sam an email! All your questions, comments, and dog (or wedding) photos can be sent to [email protected]