Credit: Steven Bisig | Pictures Pictures
Week 27 saw Gotham wrap up the Shield for the first time, the Reign fell to the playoffs to extend Jess Fishlock’s career, and Ashley Sanchez fell short of her independent scoring record and the playoffs.
11 thoughts on the weekend. We will do this every Monday after NWSL match weeks. Some points will be factual and some will be based on opinion. Some will just be random statements or observations.
Let’s go inside
I – Fishlock lives
He missed a golden opportunity on a pass from Mia Fishel, but was eventually beaten 1-0 by Jess Fishlock and The Reign Pride to secure a final spot in this year’s playoffs. As it is known, the goal scored by Jordan Bug in the 68th minute was of vital importance. The Courage scored late to defeat the Crest and the Reign would clinch the finals spot with a tie. Bugg’s goal came from a corner kick following a sequence in which Fishlock was called for a handball in the box.
Fishlock is retiring at the end of the season, and his departure from Sunday’s game was met with a standing ovation by the 16,095 fans at Lumen Field. It was a far cry from Fishlock and the Reign’s first home game in Seattle, which drew 2,618 to Starfire Stadium in Tukwila.
Next stop is New Jersey, where the Reign will look to defeat Shield winner Gotham in Sunday’s quarterfinals.
II – About that Shield
Ann-Katrin Berger said Shield should now be standard in Gotham. He spoke after shutting out the Royals 2-0 to seal the club’s first Shield as the top team in the regular season. Gotham has now won two NWSL Championships, a Challenge Cup, the Shield and the Concacaf W Champions Cup since 2023.
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