Time for the NWSL gamers to launch like astronauts into area because the NWSL Championship is now upon us. Washington Spirit and Gotham FC will battle for the NWSL Championship on Saturday, Nov. 22, on CBS. The playoff bracket is lastly down to 2 groups, and which means it is time for Attacking Third’s NWSL Group of the Week.

After weekly fixtures throughout the 2025 NWSL marketing campaign, Attacking Third analysts chosen a workforce of the week, head coach, and honorary captain primarily based on performances throughout the weekend. Now we’re retaining the most well liked content material pattern of the 12 months going into the playoffs. Should you’re retaining observe of who has been on our previous lineups, be certain that to look again at our workforce alternatives from the NWSL quarterfinals.

This is watch the massive sport on Saturday:

NWSL Championship

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 22 |  Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Place: PayPal Park – San Jose, Ca.
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Paramount+

Check out our greatest XI:

Goalkeeper: Ann Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)

Gotham FC is enjoying like they have been right here earlier than, and it is as a result of they’ve. Three consecutive semifinal appearances and now they’re again into the NWSL Championship because of an enormous second by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. The German worldwide got here up with an acrobatic save to maintain Gotham’s prepare to the NWSL Championship on time. 

Defender: Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit)

Regardless of some harm setbacks alongside the way in which, the Washington Spirit is rising as one of the crucial full groups on the good time. By way of the backline to the entrance, defender Esme Morgan has been a key determine in shutting down opposing assaults and producing offense together with her connective play. She led the workforce in complete touches (89) within the semifinal.

“I believed she was glorious [Saturday], aggressive, stepping up. One of many causes enjoying passes into the midfield that helped actually sort of begin their assaults,” stated Attacking Third analyst Lori Lindsey.

Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)

Defender of the 12 months finalist and Spirit centerback Tara McKeown confirmed resilience within the semifinal. After sustaining an harm through the quarterfinal, the defensive captain led the group in clearances (seven) on Saturday. 

“Nobody knew if her ankle was even nonetheless connected. It was. She got here out and performed, been on the coronary heart of that protection,” Lori Lindsey stated.

Defender: Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC)

That is now a back-to-back workforce of the week playoff version look for Emily Sonnett. She’s no stranger to receiving these honors through the common season, however that is as a result of she’s been such an integral part of Gotham’s backline. She was second in clearances (seven) and led the workforce in recoveries (9). Whether or not it is staying locked in on transitions and even participating with opposition to move the minutes, she’s doing all of it.  

Defender: Lily Reale (Gotham FC)

Having a little bit of formational enjoyable this week, we welcome Washington Spirit’s Rosemonde Kouassi as a wingback. She’s having one other postseason the place the Spirit are counting on her playmaking and creativity. She supplied an help on Present Monday’s purpose, however is not shy about taking her personal probabilities on purpose.

“Give a shout out for a participant that’s my Rookie of the Yr, and constantly is enjoying properly past her years, tremendous constant, and that was no totally different at this time,” stated Lori Lindsey.

Midfielder: Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC)

There may not be one other participant having a greater postseason than Jaedyn Shaw. So good that she’s on this listing twice. An honor solely matched by Alyssa Naeher and Mina Tanaka this 12 months. The teaching workers has utilized her within the entrance line and as a decrease attacking midfielder, and seems, it would not matter the place she’s positioned positionally as a result of she’s scoring within the large moments.

Midfielder: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC)

The one participant from an eradicated aspect to make this listing is Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey. This season she led a principally youthful, much less playoff-experienced, workforce into the playoffs and a third-place common season end. She additionally led the workforce in recoveries (9) through the semifinal.

“I am gonna give some like to Sam Coffey as a result of she discovered herself on the ball and attempting to create and main this Portland Thorns workforce farther than I anticipated within the playoffs, and I feel that she nonetheless had a fantastic sport regardless of, perhaps not the most effective efficiency general from Portland Thorns on the day.

Midfielder: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)

One other participant incomes back-to-back workforce of the week honors, Croix Bethune, is trying as deadly as she was throughout her rookie season final 12 months. She scored the definitive insurance coverage purpose for the Spirit to go again to the NWSL Championship last. The purpose was her first within the NWSL playoffs.

Ahead: Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC)

No, your not seeing double. With two targets, by two playoff video games, Jaedyn Shaw is on the workforce of the week twice, because of this sensible set-piece winner for Gotham. Want a midfielder, she’s your star. Want a ahead, you are gonna name her for that too. 

Ahead: Present Monday (Washington Spirit)

Present Monday is a cheat code for the Spirit, even when an earlier try was dominated offside; she’s consistently shifting to get into good alternatives in entrance of the purpose. The main purpose scorer for the Washington Spirit merely can’t be denied.

Ahead: Rosemonde Kouassi (Washington Spirit)

There is no higher duo on the market in the mean time than Rosemonde Kouassi and Present Monday. Six of Kouassi’s seven assists have been to Monday this season, and Kouassi’s 100-yard dash to Monday was a game-shifting second.

Coach: Adrian Gonzalez (Washington Spirit)

Adrian Gonzalez was on the sidelines for the Spirit final 12 months, and he’ll be there once more for the membership this 12 months. The previous assistant has been within the head teaching position for the reason that summer season, and his efforts to maintain the workforce trying deadly are paying off in a return to the NWSL Championship. 

Honorary captain: Trinity Rodman and Supporters (Washington Spirit)

After being on the sideline for the quarterfinals, Trinity Rodman formally tapped into the NWSL playoffs on Saturday. She even received a shot off on purpose to mark her return, and the supporters part nearly misplaced it. The Spirit will probably be on the highway for the ultimate at a impartial championship website at PayPal Park in San Jose, however the supporters part has been an equally necessary a part of the environment at house.