World Cup winner Esther González scored the go-ahead goal on a header in first-half stoppage time and Gotham FC survived a wild finish to beat OL Reign 2-1 on Saturday night in a National Women's Soccer League championship match that was in its first few minutes when Megan Rapinoe hobbled off the pitch in a heartbreaking end to her career. Following a VAR review in stoppage time, Gotham goalie Mandy Haught was issued a red card for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and sent off, giving the Reign a chance to tie it.
Veronica Latsko's second-half goal was all OL Reign needed to defeat the San Diego Wave 1-0 and earn a spot in the National Women’s Soccer League championship game. The Reign will face Gotham FC for the league title on Saturday at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium. Gotham took down the Thorns 1-0 at Portland's Providence Park in the other semifinal match.
Veronica Latsko scored in the 87th minute to give OL Reign a 1-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night in the opening round of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs. Phoebe McClernon whipped a cross into the box and Latsko beat her defender to score from close range at Seattle's Lumen Field, giving the Reign its first playoff victory since 2015. The Reign will head to San Diego to take on the Wave in a semifinal match on Nov. 5.