NWSL Shield Race: Gotham Lead San Diego Wave by Four Points With Three Games Left

0 2 2 minutes read

Gotham FC, leaders of the NWSL Shield race, celebrating their 2025 title in New York — Gotham FC receive the keys to New York City after winning the 2025 NWSL Championship, November 2025 (archive). Photo: NYC Mayor's Office / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Gotham FC lead the NWSL Shield race by four points over the San Diego Wave with three games of the regular season left. Gotham drew 1–1 with Angel City at home on Sunday 4 October after Taylor Suarez scored in stoppage time. Meanwhile, San Diego beat the Orlando Pride 2–1 on Friday to clinch a playoff place. The Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, will be decided by 1 November, according to Gotham FC.

Gotham are on 55 points and San Diego on 51. Both teams return after the international break on 17 October.

Gotham Held by Late Angel City Equaliser

Jaedyn Shaw gave Gotham the lead in the 66th minute with a left-footed finish inside the box. It was her 10th goal of the season, making her only the third player in club history to reach double figures in one campaign, Gotham said.

However, Angel City struck in the first minute of stoppage time. Suarez tapped in Emily Sams’ cross at the near post, Just Women’s Sports reported. The point extended Angel City’s unbeaten run to seven matches.

Even so, the draw guaranteed Gotham at least one home quarter-final in the playoffs. Head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said his side “really dominated the game”, although he was disappointed to concede so late.

San Diego Wave Clinch Playoff Spot

Lia Godfrey of the San Diego Wave, second in the NWSL Shield race

San Diego made a fast start in Orlando. Lia Godfrey scored in the fourth minute from a Trinity Byars assist, and Gia Corley doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, according to the Wave’s match report.

Barbara Banda pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half. But the Wave held on to move to 16 wins, eight defeats and three draws, setting new club records for wins and points in a season.

The result also confirmed San Diego’s place in the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. Only two other clubs in league history have done that, the Wave said. Their run includes recent wins over Racing Louisville and the Kansas City Current.

NWSL Shield Race: Remaining Fixtures

Both sides have three matches left, and the final round on 1 November kicks off at the same time for every team, according to the league schedule.

Gotham FC (55 points):

17 October: Washington Spirit
25 October: Orlando Pride
1 November: Utah Royals

San Diego Wave (51 points):

17 October: North Carolina Courage
25 October: Boston Legacy
1 November: Bay FC

What Gotham Need to Win the NWSL Shield Race

If San Diego win all three of their remaining games, they would finish on 60 points. As a result, two wins from their last three would guarantee Gotham top spot, because that would take them to at least 61 points.

Gotham have never won the Shield. Their recent form includes a late win over the North Carolina Courage and a 3–1 victory over the Chicago Stars, in which Shaw became the youngest player to score 25 NWSL goals.

Around the League

Elsewhere this weekend, the Kansas City Current beat Bay FC 5–1 and the Washington Spirit won 3–2 at the Houston Dash. In addition, the North Carolina Courage won 1–0 away to the Seattle Reign, while Denver Summit beat the Chicago Stars 3–0.

Angel City, meanwhile, continue their push for the playoffs. Read how they reached their first 10-win season earlier this autumn.