Soccer

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Saturday brought a fairy tale ending for No. 8 seed Gotham FC, who defeated No. 2 Washington Spirit 1–0 to win the NWSL Championship. Here’s how the Bats clinched their second title in three years, plus a look at what’s to come for the growing league.

November 24, 2025

Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC: Previewing the 2025 NWSL Championship

⚽

Eight of the league’s 14 teams earned a berth to the three-round, single-elimination postseason. There are no byes in the NWSL Playoffs, so the top-seeded teams duked it out with the rest of the field, and let’s just say, some brackets were busted.

November 22, 2025

Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga wins second consecutive NWSL MVP

⚽

The NWSL Championship pitting the Washington Spirit against Gotham FC is set for tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, but the party’s already begun in San Jose. The league honored its best and brightest during Wednesday’s NWSL Awards, and a little history was made along the way. So gilded.

November 21, 2025

Vancouver Rise FC defeat AFC Toronto 2–1 to clinch inaugural NSL title

⚽

No. 3 seed Vancouver Rise FC are your inaugural Northern Super League (NSL) champs, hoisting the Diana B. Matheson Cup on Saturday after launching a weather-delayed 2–1 comeback over top-seeded AFC Toronto. Here’s how the West Coast secured the win, plus how the debut league is shaping the future of Canadian women’s soccer.

November 17, 2025

No. 8 seed Gotham FC to face No. 2 Washington Spirit in 2025 NWSL Championship

⚽

In a twist more than a few GISTers saw coming, No. 8 seed Gotham FC will face the No. 2 Washington Spirit in Saturday’s NWSL Championship. Both clubs have won it all recently — Gotham in 2023 and the Spirit in 2021 — but only one can add to their trophy case. Let’s take a look back at the semifinals, and then a quick look ahead to the ’ship.

November 17, 2025

No. 1 seed AFC Toronto takes on No. 3 Vancouver Rise FC in first-ever NSL Final

⚽

The first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) champion will be crowned when No. 1 seed AFC Toronto and No. 3 Vancouver Rise FC meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. Ahead of kickoff, here’s what you need to know about the NSL’s historic inaugural season and, of course, the winner-take-all match.

November 14, 2025

Four previous champions advance to NWSL semis

⚽

ICYMI: The four teams competing in this weekend’s NWSL Playoffs semis are the four previous league champs dating back to 2021. With postseason experience everywhere you look and the No. 1 seed already stunningly eliminated, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.

November 14, 2025

A drama-filled first round of the NWSL Playoffs

Sports News

A drama-filled first round of the NWSL Playoffs

⚽

November 10, 2025

The NWSL served up peak playoff anarchy this weekend, with a whole lot of extra time, a record-breaking expansion announcement, and enough adrenaline to last until next weekend’s semifinals. See how your playoff bracket’s holding up, then relive the thrilling quarter-final action with us.

Read Full Story

The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #518

It’s time for a College Football Playoff primer

December 18, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

It’s time for a College Football Playoff primer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

And not just because of the holidays. Between the final few weeks of a thrilling NFL season and the College Football Playoff, there’s no shortage of gridiron action to take in. That’s why on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are tossing the perfect spiral: a College Football Playoff special, breaking down the 12-team field and this weekend’s spiciest showdowns. Hut, hut, here we go.