By OkayGoal
Gotham FC moved closer to the NWSL Shield on Sunday with a 2-1 win over the Orlando Pride, while Kansas City Current beat the Washington Spirit 2-1 and San Diego Wave FC drew 2-2 with Boston Legacy FC.
The results leave Gotham atop the standings with 58 points, three ahead of San Diego with one game remaining. Gotham has the Shield in its sights, but Sunday’s draw in San Diego means the race is not over just yet.
Gotham took the lead in Orlando through Midge Purce in the 22nd minute, then doubled its advantage when Tierna Davidson scored in the 62nd. Solai Washington pulled one back for the Pride three minutes later, but Gotham held on for the 2-1 win. The victory leaves Gotham needing just a point in its final match to secure the Shield.
AIR PURCE
The header. The finish. The Midge Purce moment to give Gotham the 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/MmC0D0cby1— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 25, 2026
Kansas City’s win over Washington also had implications for the playoff picture. The Spirit took the lead through Clara Luvanga in the 12th minute, but the Current responded quickly, with Lo’eau LaBonta equalizing in the 14th minute before Vanessa DiBernardo put Kansas City ahead three minutes later. The 2-1 win gave the Current three valuable points as both teams look to strengthen their postseason positions heading into the final matchday.
The final game of the day saw San Diego and Boston trade goals in a lively second half. Boston took the lead through Annie Karich in the 48th minute, but Gia Corley equalized for the Wave three minutes later. San Diego went ahead in the 54th minute when Boston defender Laís Araújo scored an own goal, before Alba Caño equalized for Boston in the 73rd minute to make it 2-2.
The draw leaves San Diego on 55 points, three behind Gotham with one regular-season match remaining.
Gotham’s path to the Shield is straightforward: a win or draw against Utah Royals on Decision Day will secure the trophy. A loss would give San Diego the chance to draw level on points with a win over Bay FC, potentially leaving the Shield to be decided by the league’s tie-breaking procedures.
All NWSL matches kick off at 5 p.m. ET next Sunday for Decision Day.