The streets of Manhattan echoed with cheers on Monday as New York City paid tribute to its footballing heroes, Gotham FC, for their spectacular victory in the National Women’s Soccer League championship.
A Triumphant Procession for the Champions
On Monday 24 November 2025, the city honoured the team's second title win in three years with a classic New York celebration. The players, riding on open-top double-decker buses, were greeted by throngs of elated fans as they travelled along a historic stretch of Broadway, a route long reserved for ticker-tape parades celebrating the nation's finest athletes and public figures.
The procession culminated at City Hall, where a formal ceremony took place. Mayor Eric Adams presented each player with a large, symbolic gold key to the city, cementing their status as local legends.
The Star-Studded Ceremony and a Hard-Fought Victory
Midfielder Rose Lavelle, who secured the championship with her decisive 80th-minute goal in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit, addressed the adoring crowd. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her teammates, the club's passionate supporters, and the entire organisation's leadership and staff.
"We're the ones on the field who get to do the job, but to win a championship, it literally takes every last person," Lavelle stated, as fans repeatedly chanted "MVP!" in recognition of her title match award. She added, "When you get to do what you love with people you love, it makes the journey much sweeter."
Defying the Odds to Make History
Under the guidance of Coach Juan Carlos Amoros, Gotham FC's path to the final was a masterclass in resilience. The team defied expectations by winning two crucial away matches: a 2-1 quarter-final victory against the top-seeded Kansas City Current, followed by a 1-0 semi-final win over the defending champions, the Orlando Pride.
This remarkable achievement secured their place in the history books, as Gotham FC became the first eighth-seed to ever win the NWSL Championship. This follows their 2023 triumph, where, as the sixth seed in a smaller playoff, they were also the first of their kind to lift the trophy.
The club, which represents both New York and New Jersey, plays its home fixtures at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.
