01x03 - Semifinal Showdown

[bunniefuu]

[indistinct chatter]

[woman] Yes, he
did. Yes, he did.

[indistinct chatter]

It's about 7:30 a.m., and we're all
waking up getting our hair and makeup done

'cause we're going
to the White House.

[Tamerra] Gotham FC was
invited to the White House

to celebrate their
2023 NWSL championship

and within the community of the
league, it was a huge moment.

We're really excited because we
are the first team to ever go.

Finally, it's kind of like
putting women's soccer on the map

and making that stamp like,
"Hey, we should be able to go

to the White House too when
we win a championship."

So, we're all just buzzing.
We got our outfits going on,

and we're excited and we're about to
head there, so it should be pretty cool.

[ambient music playing]

Oh, yes!

We won the
championship last year.

[player 1] We've been
celebrating every day since.

[player 2] Every day since.

Last season, I think that we just
all came together and rallied.

Also, we had, like, Ali Krieger
and we knew she was retiring.

We wanted to send her off
with a great retirement.

[loud cheering]

[commentator] Oh,
and what a finish!

Gotham FC. The 2023 champions!

Ali Krieger, the
captain of Gotham

is a champion in
her final ever game.

[Ali] We were victorious,
and that was incredible,

and I was just, yeah, ecstatic.

I couldn't even put it
into words what it meant.

And to feel that your
work is being appreciated

is something special,
and it goes a long way.

♪ Whose broad stripes
and bright stars ♪

♪ Through the perilous fight ♪

[player] Use your head voice.

[all laughing]

[Tamerra] I think that
their White House visit

was, like, a way of saying that our
accomplishments are just as valuable

as anyone else's and we
deserve this recognition.

It makes it that much
harder to regress from that

once those precedents
have been set.

It literally just slipped up
on our schedule and I was like,

"Does that say we're
going to the White House?"

And I was like, "Are
y'all seeing this?"

- [laughs]
- Yeah,

and I'd booked a hair
appointment to get my hair cut,

but this is obviously more important
so I was like, "Yeah, let's do it."

[reporter] "Sorry, I have to
cancel on you for the president."

- Sorry, I have to go to the White House.
- Sorry, Joe Biden's calling.

It's crazy, it's a huge honor.

We're just setting the standard
for women's sports moving forward.

We're both like, "Wow, we
normally watch this on TV,

- and now we get to be a part of it."
- Right.

[fanfare playing]

[man] Distinguished guests, the
President of the United States,

accompanied by Gotham
captain, Ali Krieger.

[cheers and applause]

["Hail to The Chief" playing]

[camera shutters clicking]

For the first time in National
Women's Soccer League history,

welcome to the White House to
the 2023 champions, Gotham FC.

[cheers and applause]

After a tough season being the
final team to make the playoffs,

you inspire all of us, and you
really do, you're an inspiration.

Ali, the floor is yours.

[cheers and applause]

[Ali] Mr. President
and esteemed guests,

we are deeply honored to be the first
NWSL team to receive this recognition,

but it's even more important that
we ensure we are not the last.

[cheers and applause]

[reporter] What does it mean to you to
be part of the first club team in NWSL

to be honored at
the White House?

I mean, it's a historic moment and I
think everyone will remember this forever.

This was really, really cool for
everyone to kind of, you know,

feel that, um, support behind them
that they're doing something right.

[reporter] Thank you so much.

[indistinct chatter]

[man] What have we got?
Let's see how they went.

They're definitely not New
York bagels, that's for sure.

Okay, I feel like there's more. I
feel like there's more than normal.

Uh, a good tradition of ours is
watching Liverpool games in the morning.

- And eating bagels.
- Yeah.

And so we have both.

Yeah. Last weekend, we
had, like, the perfect day.

We, like, woke up,
watched Liverpool...

- They won.
- ...they won. [chuckles]

Then we went to the gym, then
we went to a coffee shop.

We're like, "Wow, that's
just the best day ever."

Come on, boys.

I think soccer's such a big
part of our relationship.

We went to Boston University,

- we both played soccer.
- Yeah.

[commentator on
TV]...balanced... Luis Diaz!

[both laughing]

[Evin] That's what happens when you're
top of the table, your expectations,

especially with the Pride, like, when
you're winning 20 games in a row,

like, it's a... "All right,
when are we gonna score now?"

- It's like, all right.
- That's how I felt with the Pride,

like, I always knew, like,
we're gonna find a way to win.

Yeah.

[commentator] Strom weaving
through and picking out the pass.

[man] Kylie Strom
is a magical story.

She went to Europe, she
played in the second tier,

I mean, she played in
footballing roads less traveled.

[Kylie] My journey's
kind of different.

Went to Boston University,

not the greatest of schools
from a soccer standpoint.

I didn't get drafted. Nothing
was really working out.

I was, like, working a
restaurant job as a waitress

in my small home town.

Went to the Boston Breakers because
they were in the backyard from BU.

So, trained with them the whole year,
finally, like, earned a contract,

and then six months in, I
get a call from my coach

saying, "We're gonna have to let you go,
um, another player became available."

It was like, kind
of out of a movie.

The next day I, like, walked in.
My locker was already cleared out,

the new player was
already in there.

That was, like, definitely
the lowest point of my career.

I was completely
blindsided. I don't know.

I feel like probably
maybe other players knew

and I just didn't see
the writing on the wall.

Like, was probably a bit naive,

but I was so lost.

I was so lost.

I was, like, questioning
everything, like, "Maybe I'm done.

Maybe it's not meant to be."

It was like a "what next?"

Like, you have to make a move.

So, after I got cut
from the Breakers,

I get a call from my
agent, and he was, like,

"Kylie, you're never gonna believe this,
but Atletico Madrid wants to sign you."

And I was, like, "You're
right, I don't believe you."

So, it was just kind of like,
people took chances on me

and you know, I was ready
for the opportunity.

So, that started to
put me on the map.

We had an Orlando Pride player
playing with us at Atletico,

and obviously, you know, the coaches
here are keeping tabs on them

and he was watching one of
our Champions League games,

quarterfinals against Barcelona,
and he was, like, "Wait a minute,

who's this American player
on Atletico Madrid?"

You know, I always told myself, "Like, oh,
I'm not gonna come back to the league,"

you know, I was happy
exploring Europe, but...

Coming back to the
NWSL was terrifying.

I kind of had that reputation.

You know, it's the player
who didn't make it.

But I was like, "You know what, this
is revenge tour. Let's go for it."

[commentator] Still an opportunity
for Strom. Kylie Strom!

Dancing into the side netting
and Orlando with some life.

Kylie Strom, in that Orlando
setting, found her happy place

as not just a leader
but a dominant player.

[commentator] From undrafted
to cut by the Boston Breakers

to a defender of the year nominee
this year for Kylie Strom.

What an incredible
journey she has had.

There's no way I ever in a million
years thought I would be a shield winner

in the NWSL, like no chance.

She went from playing
number 10 striker in college

to being one of the best
defenders in the world.

I was never concerned about
anything you were doing

- as long as you kept going.
- Yeah. Yeah.

[commentator] Salah here can twist
and turn and Gakpo can score!

- Nice! [laughing]
- [crowd cheering on TV]

- That was chaos.
- Yeah.

[suspenseful music playing]

Orlando Pride is a team that
people expect a lot from

and they expect a
lot from themselves.

Step, now, step, step,
step, there you go.

[Heather] Their team
had an exceptional run,

but Orlando Pride
historically is... [sighs]

...how do I say
this respectfully?

Not the most desirable
place for players.

A little bit of Bad News Bears.

[commentator] Sends
it in towards the 18.

And that is going to be
played back for an own goal

by the Orlando Pride.

Heading into this
season, the Orlando Pride

had not made the
playoffs in years

despite having players like Marta, at
one point Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux.

Players that you would
think would have no problem

getting to the
postseason in the NWSL.

[commentator 1] Orlando
is struggling...

[commentator 2] Continuation
of a frustrating season,

they've been behind the 8-ball.

[commentator 3] They just never seem
to achieve anywhere near the levels,

and that's not down
to the players.

To understand Orlando Pride, you
kind of have to know what the DNA

of Orlando Pride have been.

They're like third
cousins at a bar mitzvah,

they're just happy
to be invited.

They are afterthoughts.

I spent a good chunk of my
professional career in Orlando.

It definitely was a struggle up until
this year and even going into this year,

Orlando was probably projected
to be bottom of the table.

[Roger] Two seasons
ago, there was mutiny

between the players, the
manager, the lack of direction.

It was a chaos club.

Then they got a new
head coach in Seb Hines.

♪ Golden wings upon my feet ♪

♪ On clouds I dance ♪

[commentator] The first win for
Seb Hines as acting head coach.

♪ Orange sky and deep blue sea ♪

♪ In the palm of my hand ♪

[Seb] Super grateful
for this opportunity

to go into the next four years.

Implementing our ways
and our values is,

you know, is gonna
be really important.

[Heather] He came up as a volunteer
coach, then he was the assistant,

then he was named
the head coach.

He's known as a real
player's manager,

meaning that he was a player.

[commentator] Seb Hines is the
man to run off and celebrate.

[commentator 2] Oh, Hines!

The headmaster has
struck and it's two-nil!

- [indistinct commentary]
- [crowd cheering]

He had a great career of his own

ending there with Orlando.

- [commentator] Seb Hines!
- [crowd cheering]

[Alex] Seb played
on Orlando City

when my husband played on Orlando City
and when I played on Orlando Pride.

[commentator] With the
delivery! Goal, Orlando City!

[Alex] When the opportunity came for
Seb to get the head coaching job,

he was trying to find his voice
going from player to coach.

He didn't have the experience
that other coaches might have had.

I was rooting for him because
you always want someone

who bleeds a, like, brand and a club
through and through, and Seb did that.

♪ Golden wings upon my feet ♪

♪ On clouds I dance ♪

[Seb] Go on, hard
step, hard step.

[Alex] But I was really
confident in Seb.

He was gonna, like, just force himself
to learn, and dig in with the team.

Good. Good.

[Roger] From mutiny he built
a common sense of vision,

a common sense of
purpose, a true alignment

between all the players
in that locker room.

[Kerry] He just
believes in us so much

and he puts in the work himself

and it's hard not to want
to follow someone like that.

I would definitely say he
gives, like, dad energy

in like the most awesome way.

Well done.

He does kind of have that lighthearted,
laid-back demeanor off the field,

but he can very much switch
on the intensity and passion.

All right, listen real
quick. Before we split off.

You're ready, you're
prepared, okay?

You've had a great week, you've done
everything we've asked you to do.

You're gonna have moments where
you have to get through adversity.

All right, stick together, but let's
go f*cking win this game, guys.

All right? Let's break
it down, well done.

- [player 1] Let's go!
- [player 2] Pride on three,

- one, two, three...
- [all] Pride!

[Haley] Seb is a great coach
because he lets the payers lead

and he wants us to take the reins,
and I think that's such a skill

to be able to give your
players the freedom to do that.

When you get the
right mix, it's magic.

After training I usually like to
get a little smoothie or a coffee.

The body is tired. We're at
the stage where I'm like numb.

If I were to stop right now,
I probably wouldn't be able

to start it back up again.

But I think it's mind
over matter at this point.

This Orlando Pride team
was made up of players

that were sort of unsung heroes.

You have Haley McCutcheon
who's an unlikely character,

but is able to be a really important
cog in that midfield for Orlando,

and was just so consistent
through the year.

[Haley] I scored my first goal
against Chicago in the playoffs.

[cheering]

[commentator] The
opening goal for Orlando

in the first home playoff game.

And I honestly didn't
think I scored it.

It was kind of like
bobbling in the box,

like, I think Ali took a
shot and it ricocheted,

and then I was just in the right
place at the right time to head it in.

And I thought I was offside so I, like,
looked around and kind of was like,

"Oh, I don't think that
counted," but then it did.

[funky music playing]

- [Haley] Hi.
- [server] There you go.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

[Haley] I'm actually
from Kansas City

so it's always fun when
we get to play there.

I did dream of playing for
Kansas early in my career.

It would be really sweet to
maybe one day go back there

and, obviously, they're building
something really special.

The rivalry between Orlando and
Kansas will be a long-standing rivalry

for years to come,
which is so fun.

It started when we both were,
like, kind of the top two.

We were kind of switching back and
forth for the first part of the season,

and finally we met at KC's home.

[commentator] This game
is worth all the hype.

It's giving real
game-of-the-century type vibes.

Two standout teams that are performing
really in a class of their own.

[Kerry] They were unbeaten
in their brand-new stadium,

we were tied for points,
I think Barbra and Temwa

were tied for goals
at that point.

The lead-up was
insane, you know,

and then that game was insane.

[commentator 1] Kansas City plays
so quick, so fast, so direct.

[commentator 2] It was an aggressive
foul, that's why she's upset.

A lot at stake here. You
want to be number one.

[Roger] When did I start to
take Orlando Pride seriously?

I think it was when they went to
Kansas City in the regular season.

It felt like the epic
clash of civilization.

[commentator] Banda...
back up on her,

she plays it across.
Adriana blocked.

Off the line was Franch and that
ball goes deflecting into the seats.

Player down for Orlando.

Marta has a penalty
versus Franch.

Took the shot and Marta scores and
Orlando's up for a second time.

Marta scores a banger of a PK

and we celebrate, like,
so hard after the game

because that was the biggest game
of the year, like up to that point.

[Roger] In victory, Marta went
up to the Kansas City crowd,

that teal-cloaked faithful who'd
been conditioned to victory,

and she rocked the
baby in celebration.

I mean, she'd won, but she also
wanted to ride them, tell them,

uh, who their real mummy was.

[Haley] KC didn't
like that very much.

It was just ironic because
Kansas loves to celebrate

and we celebrate the
biggest game of the year,

and I guess we're
the bad guys now.

[Kerry] The celebration
after the game,

that was perceived really negatively
by Kansas City and their fans,

kind of sparked this
rivalry between us.

So it only made sense that we would
face them again in the playoffs.

[Haley] Game plan
against Kansas is just

to try to get Chawinga
not to score. [laughing]

[commentator] Chawinga!

That's a big win if she does
not get on the score sheet.

We've had our sights
set on this for so long,

and we cannot lose focus
for one second against them.

[commentator] What a semifinal
showdown we have for you this afternoon

at Inter & Co.
Stadium in Orlando,

as the record-setting regular
season champions, Orlando Pride,

host the best attack
this league has ever seen

in the electric
Kansas City Current.

[crowd cheering]

[Kayla] Our game plan
was be ourselves.

You know, not being afraid of the moment.
Of course, we're playing in Orlando,

not at home so we always know
that's a little bit difficult.

Obviously, it's been a
huge rivalry all season.

We knew it was gonna
be a tight match.

There was a lot of
hype around the game.

Kansas, you can say
whatever you want about us.

If you wanna say we're c*ck,

whatever you wanna say, go
ahead, like, we're not listening.

[commentator 1] Back to Marta.

Across it goes, Schult
punches it away.

[commentator 2] Everybody's
focused on Temwa Chawinga,

everybody's focused
on Barbra Banda,

which means there's
space for someone else.

[commentator 1] Chawinga,
DiBernardo. Cooper is there.

[suspenseful music playing]

Then a cross... Debinha!

Kansas City strikes
first on the road.

[commentator 2] What a ball
this is, you cannot defend that.

[Kylie] The ball by Cooper
was unreal, great finish.

It was a great goal and we were like,
"sh**t, that wasn't part of the plan."

[Kayla] It was awesome to get
that first goal and to know

we're in a pretty
good spot right now.

[commentator 2] They did a really good
job, the Kan City Current, defensively.

[commentator 1] There
is Watt in some space.

Watt can light it
up for Orlando!

- The equalizer!
- [crowd cheering]

[Kylie] Great cross,
right place, right time,

and Haley McCutcheon
and Ally Watt.

So clutch! Like,
they were unreal.

[commentator 1] Haley
McCutcheon, the Kansas native,

wants to get back
to her home state

and play in the championship.

First half comes to a close.

One-one, the score.

[suspenseful music playing]

All right, take a deep breath
because I can feel your energy,

and use the energy
of the crowd as well.

Be committed, stay with the
pressure, control the control goals.

Barbra, keep going,
mate, keep going,

'cause you're causing
them trouble, all right?

Be calm in possession,
know your objective,

don't be afraid to
turn them at times.

Little bounce to get out wide
and then you go. All right?

Guys, 45 minutes, let's go
in 45 minutes, let's go.

[commentator 1] ...the
second half, all tied at one.

The winner of this one between
Kansas City and Orlando

goes to the final.

This has been a
chess match so far.

Both can be lethal in space

and on transitional
opportunities,

but that is what they are both
determined to take away from the other.

Quick to Chawinga they go.

But the Orlando defense
ready for the challenge.

[commentator 2] Both teams
have done a really good job,

especially this
Orlando Pride backline,

at nullifying Temwa
Chawinga in this game.

I think they're starting to
see things open up underneath.

Played the ball in to
Barbs and she turns.

[crowd cheering]

The goal literally, like,
lifts off the ground!

[laughs] Like, it was insane.

[commentator 2] Look at that spin!
Exactly what you work on in training.

[Kylie] Like, she smacked
that, like, with authority.

She's like, "I am scoring
this goal." So, that was epic!

[commentator 1] That's how you do
it! Get on the Banda wagon, baby!

[commentator 2] What a
finish from Barbra Banda.

Rockets it in the goal.

Now, this Kansas City
team have to score.

There's 20 minutes to
go plus stoppage time.

What are they going to do?

But you can see Orlando Pride are
not taking their foot off the gas.

They're not just sitting
on this 2-1 lead.

They know they need
to continue to push.

- [crowd cheering]
- [woman] Come on, ladies!

Orlando were ahead,

but genuinely the game felt
like it was on a knife edge.

[commentator 1] Into the
80th minute and on we go.

[Kayla] I just remember a
ball kind of started bouncing.

I tried to intercept it, it
kind of bounced off my leg.

Banda just got a toe on it,
and then it was just Marta

running at our backline.

[Roger] You knew in that
second when you look at that,

Marta, there was no doubt in her
mind this game needed to be won

and she was gonna be
the one to end it.

[commentator 1] Marta!
Into the box she goes.

In those moments you try to do
everything you can just to stop the play.

Haley was coming back, I was
still coming backtracking.

I was trying to do everything
I could to get back there.

[Roger] You could see the faces on
the Kansas City defenders change

from, "We got this,"
to, "Holy crap!"

[commentator 1] Marta, one move.

Marta...!

[Roger] She lets another defender
get back and think they've covered it

just for the absolute cherry on
the cake before lashing it home.

And I've only watched
this I think 12,724 times.

[Kylie] It was hands down the greatest
football moment I have ever witnessed.

That's like a goal you, like, tell
your kids about, your grandkids about.

Like, that is a moment that I will
never forget for the rest of my life.

[Roger] The roar that she
just emitted into the sky.

You knew as that roar went out,
you saw the rest of her team

stand taller, believe
in themselves.

And all of that was astonishing,

humanly transcendent,
it's why we watch.

[commentator 1] The marvelous Marta
makes it a two-goal Orlando advantage.

[commentator 2] Thirty-eight
years old, legend, look at this.

What it means to Marta, look
at what it means to this team.

Incredible.

[Kerry] I think the most
captivating thing about that goal

was the double-in-sync slide from
Alana Cook and Kayla Sharples.

And as a defender, my
gosh, I feel for them.

[Kayla] It was very upsetting.

Disappointed in myself for the roles
that I had played, you know, in that,

but we fought back.

[commentator 1] Kansas City still looking
to get on the board in this second half.

Falls and it is
blocked out of bounds.

Well, the AR may intervene here and see
if there was a handball on that last play.

Now, this could change
things potentially.

[whistle blowing]

Penalty!

Kansas City getting
an opportunity now

to pull themselves
one goal closer.

[whistle blows]

DiBernardo to pull Kansas
City one step closer.

She does!

[crowd cheering]

[Alana] That penalty, we
got some momentum there.

I think that really emboldened us
to keep pushing. It was do or die.

[commentator 1] And now, we
all will be watching the clock.

Like, we know that it's not over
yet until that final whistle blows.

[indistinct chatter]

[suspenseful music playing]

[commentator 1]
Kansas City pushing.

Final minutes in Orlando,
Chawinga pressuring,

Moorhouse out of the
goal, Chawinga back post.

[crowd cheering]

That might have been the opportunity
Kansas City's been pushing for.

The Pride, moments away

from booking their tickets
to Kansas City for the final.

[whistle blows]

Doing their very best
to get a goal here late.

But Orlando, in a season
of record-setting streaks,

they've won the shield.

And now, the Pride will play for
their first NWSL championship.

- [crowd cheering]
- [fireworks popping]

[triumphant music playing]

After that game I think we were
like, that one we celebrate.

That one... That one felt good.

- Let's go!
- [all yelling]

[Seb] This is your dream.

You need to soak it all in.

I'm so proud of all of you.

How you're committed to
everything that you've done.

Enjoy this moment, but
we've got one more.

- We've got one more.
- [all cheering and whooping]

Pride on three, one, two, three.

[all] Pride!

[all cheering]

[Alana] I think we had our
moments, we had our chances,

but the final whistle blew.

[somber music playing]

It's the sadness,
it's the devastation.

You know, it's the letdown.

[Kayla] We love the team
and the girls on the team,

and so we want to do
it for each other.

So, I think that was the hardest
part, not getting the win

because of the people that have battled,
you know, day in and day out with you.

And knowing that we could've
won, we could've done better.

What we really wanted most was to come
back and play the championship at home.

First thing I told them was
that I'm very proud of them.

We cannot allow this game
to define who we are.

They definitely changed the
face of the organization

and, uh, they connected
with the fans.

They really brought joy to the city
and that's what I'm proud of them for.

[Alana] I think the
sky's the limit for us

and everyone's so hungry.

It's a gut check, but I think it's
a moment where we could look back

and evaluate, okay, where were
we and where do we need to go?

And I'm so confident that everyone
is ready to attack that challenge.

[slow rhythmic music playing]

Come on. [laughing]

So this is Kush. He is about to
be a 10-month-old terrier mix.

I picked the most handsome
puppy. I love you.

Yeah. Having that sense
of love from someone else,

and just taking my mind off of what
I'm going through, it was really nice.

I'm almost ten
weeks out of surgery

and I'm focusing on
getting stronger,

continuing to get mobility back,

and hopefully, I start
running in a couple of weeks.

[woman] She's very
no-nonsense in a way.

She just is like, "This is the work
that needs to be done so let's do it."

When you're feeling down, you
still have to have those habits,

and I think that's what going
through an injury teaches you.

- [Andi] Just got an announcement.
- [man] Andi, we have to say something.

[Andi] Okay, so I have
the honor of sharing

some of our team's nominations
for individual awards

for the end of the
year across the league.

So, up for Rookie of
the Year, we have Croix.

[cheers and applause]

She's also one of five nominated for
the award of Midfielder of the Year.

[cheers and applause]

For Defender of the Year,
our very own Queen Tara.

[cheers and applause]

And up for Most Valuable
Player, Trinity Rodman.

[cheers and applause]

[Trinity] Okay,
I'm really happy.

I feel like this year I've
played at my highest level,

and it's not obviously just 'cause of
my development throughout the years.

It's 'cause of you guys pushing me every
day and making me better. So thanks.

This is a big shock for me.

[all laughing]

It's my second year at defense,

so I'm really grateful for all
you guys and the coaching staff

getting me to where I
am today, so thank you.

[applause]

[Croix] I'm very happy to
be nominated for both, um,

I appreciate y'all for
being... Stop laughing at me.

For being there for me...

[all laughing]

For being there with me every day,
helping me get better every day,

and I love you all so
much, and I feel like

I wouldn't be here
without any of you.

- [woman] Whoo!
- [applause]

[rock music playing]

[Heather] Washington Spirit-style
play is very possession-oriented.

They have a Spanish coach come
in from Barcelona, Jona Giráldez.

- Three, two, one...
- [whistle blows]

One, two, three.

Looking at this very
athletic American roster,

you have players like Trinity
Rodman, you have Hal Hershfelt.

Very, yeah, athletic,
brute-force kind of players.

But losing Andi Sullivan and Croix
Bethune was difficult for them.

So, there was a little
bit of a sense of like,

are the wheels falling off
here for Washington Spirit?

[reporter] It is an NWSL
semifinal showdown this weekend.

Washington Spirit
against Gotham,

but the two times Washington and
Gotham met during the regular season,

it was a sweep for the Spirit,
both score lines ending in 2-nil.

[Jonatan] Two, three, four.

Play, play! One down, one down.

Eliminated.

[Ashley] It's definitely not
going to be easy, that's for sure.

Gotham is someone that I feel like
winning the championship recently

for them too, they have that experience,
they know what it tastes like.

But I believe in us.

[Jonatan] Don't think
too much about the game.

For us must be another
game, a normal game.

If we can connect with the
intensity that the game needs,

the game is gonna go
in the right direction.

Okay, guys, let's go.

Spirit on three!
One, two, three!

[all] Spirit!

[coach] Good, well-played. Good.

[Tamerra] There were extremely high
expectations placed on Gotham FC

for the 2024 season.

[Heather] Gotham's
story is a funny one

because not only are
they returning champions,

but they bolstered their squad
big-time with some big stars.

Listen, it's not a bad
thing to have a deep squad,

but I think it is
almost head-scratching.

[Lynn] You win a championship
and then you kind of clear house

and get a whole
bunch of new players.

Which is kind of crazy
if you think about it.

[Jonatan] Quick change!

[Roger] You're bringing player
after player after player

onto that winning foundation.

But football teams are ultimately
only about chemistry and culture,

and those two things
are remarkably fragile.

The identity is definitely different
from what I've experienced in the past

and I know kind of just
from the outside looking in,

I think the culture in the locker
room may have shifted a bit.

[Jonatan] We got two of
the goalies near the end,

then we change for
the second set.

[Ali] I think from last year,
that is what helped us succeed,

that is what helped us win because we
weren't necessarily the most skilled

and best team on the field, but I
do think we had each others' backs.

I don't know if that's
what I've seen this year

because there are
ten, 11 new players,

and I think that
develops over time.

But that doesn't
mean they can't win

because they have some of the best
players in the country on the team.

Saturday we play and then we
come back home and we win.

Yes, you can super load and supersize
the ability of players on paper,

but in that locker room, what does
it say to the players who just won?

Does it say, "We love you, we
believe in you, let's go again"?

Or does it say, "We see
weaknesses, we see vulnerabilities,

and we see you as lesser,

we need to ship in
new characters"?

And adding all of that talent
can create great strengths,

but it also creates
great uncertainty.

And football locker
rooms, like a lot of life,

there's nothing
that they hate more.

Okay, guys, so we see you there.

[percussion playing]

Can I get a cappuccino,
decaf with almond milk?

Guys, it's on me. Get
all the syrups you want.

- [all laughing]
- All the syrups...

- [Nealy] Thank you, guys.
- [girl 1] Thank you.

[girl 2] Thank you.

[Heather] Gotham really
were a very good team

all throughout the
regular season.

The playoffs were never
in doubt for them.

You have players like Yazmeen Ryan,
like Nealy Martin in the midfield.

Even a player like Delanie Sheehan
who isn't a superstar by any means,

but really did shine.

It's definitely a different
energy being, like, an underdog

- last year going into the playoffs...
- [Yazmeen] Yes.

...versus, like, being expected
to do well in the playoffs.

- [Yazmeen] Yes.
- Well, we squeezed in there.

Yeah, last year for sure.

- Just by goal differential.
- Yeah.

[Nealy] I'm feeling more
confident in this run,

and I think we have, like, just people
who know how to win on our team, you know.

In 2023, Delanie, Yaz, me,
Tarryn, we were all together

and we won a championship.

That's like such an emotional
connection you have with those people.

Did you guys see how many fans
they got last time at Spirit?

- Yeah, their atmosphere was crazy.
- Like, it just looked packed.

It was 19,000. I
saw it on Twitter.

The Washington Spirit announced that
Saturday's individual semifinal versus

reigning champs
Gotham FC is sold out.

It will mark the first time the
Spirit have sold out Audi Field

on back-to-back occasions
after they played...

[Nealy] That's
sick. Back-to-back.

We're sold out!

That's lit.

- That's so lit.
- Wow.

They just want to come
watch us win, guys.

They're coming there for Gotham.

- They're coming for Gotham.
- [laughing]

Well, what time is training?
What time's the meeting?

- Juan said early-er.
- [Taryn] Early?

- Nine.
- On Thursday, right?

- Earlier than what we've been doing.
- That's tomorrow.

We leave tomorrow.

I know, I keep saying it
like it's later in the week.

And then [indistinct] is on
Friday, and then game at noon.

It's coming up.

- [Yazmeen] Yeah.
- It is coming up quick.

[Nealy] I'm really excited to play
Washington Spirit in the semifinal.

They have a lot of threats.

Their transition is
so good at any time.

They could counter and you
just have to be ready for that,

but I would trust my
team any day of the week.

[Taryn] What do you think
the score's gonna be?

Four-zero, us.

Yeah, like how many are
we scoring? [laughs]

I got all four,
guys, don't worry.

Can I get some assists in there?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah, you got three.
- Three?

[Taryn] I feel like we all have the
mentality, like, we can win this all.

Like, I feel like we all think that. But
it's also playoffs and it's the NWSL.

- Things just happen.
- Things just happen.

[Taryn] So, you never know.

- Have y'all packed?
- No.

No, I haven't packed.

- I haven't packed either.
- Yeah.

We gotta pack.

- You know we're not gonna pack...
- Get ready for... [laughs]

You know it's gonna be
a rush in the morning.

We're gonna pack in the morning.

- All right, see you tomorrow.
- Bye, guys.

All right, see, ya.
See you tomorrow.

[crickets chirping]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Nealy] Taking the train down,

you know, not playing at
home isn't ideal for us.

And then today we trained,

and there was a fox that
ran out on the field.

It was pretty exciting. Our
security guard had to usher it away.

[player] That's a big fox!

[Nealy] Almost got in the middle
of our passing pattern. [laughs]

But it was good energy today.

[player] Yeah!

[indistinct chatter]

- How are you feeling now? Relaxed?
- I feel good.

You know how much I hate arugula.
She's trying to give it to me.

Like you hate the taste or...?

The taste.
Everything about it.

Just because she
doesn't like arugula...

she's like there's no point
for them to have arugula.

- There's nothing good.
- Some of us like arugula!

[Nealy] With all of the talent we
brought in, it's been an adjustment,

and it's been hard
for people personally,

but coming together off
the field and figuring out

how all the pieces connect on the field
has been something we're trying to do

and implement, and you know,
it's not always easy at times,

but in this team, all is
pushing for the same goal.

[indistinct chatter]

You don't like running
in general. [laughing]

[all chuckling]

I don't want to test myself.

I just want to get it done.

- You just wanna get through it.
- Mm-hmm.

[commentator] We're in Washington, D.C.
where every single ticket has been sold

for this NWSL playoff semifinal.

And who are the stars that
we should be looking out for?

There are plenty for
you to choose from.

[commentator 2] For Gotham,
it is all about Rose Lavelle,

for Washington, Trinity Rodman, one of
the most dynamic wingers in the world.

Morning, guys. Try to adjust

your emotions before the game.

If the level of the
game requires this

and I am over, I
need to... [exhales]

...slow down a little
bit and adjust.

[Lynn] Washington Spirit is
obviously a very young team,

a very young talented team.

It is gonna be a battle.

Once we break this pressure,
we're gonna find these pockets,

we can fill them from there.

Then we change, we've
seen it, aggressive.

What we need to make sure is
that we exploit the spaces

when they are going forward
and they're not coming back.

[Hal] Gotham's a good team,
they've always been a good team.

We're both very similar
in how we want to play.

I mean, we both have that
Spanish influence I feel like.

And it's kind of
like fire meets fire.

I want good feelings.

Good body language,
good communication.

Good voices. We need
good energy today.

From everyone.

Now, the key of the game, okay, the
key of the game is this square here,

we dominate, we attack
into these two pockets

and we smash it, okay?

You beat Gotham twice.

Twice. You did.

Let's f*cking do it again.
Okay, guys. Enjoy the game.

[applause]

I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready.

Okay, okay.

We have people in this changing
room, wherever you're starting

or wherever you're
coming up the ranks,

you are magicians to win games.

Let's go out there
from the first whistle

and we show everyone who's here, who's
watching on the telly around the world

who is Gotham, and Gotham
is a winning team. Okay?

- Come on, let's go, guys.
- [all clamoring]

[commentator] Gotham versus
Spirit, 2024 semifinal.

And Lynn Williams
is on the bench.

Not having Lynn Williams in the starting
lineup I think was a difficult choice,

and as anybody in American soccer knows,
Lynn Williams can come off the bench

and do some damage, but she can
also come off the starting lineup

doing some damage too.

[Roger] When a squad
is as gifted as Gotham,

when a squad has so many options,
those choices are always difficult.

Having said that, if I was the
manager of Washington Spirit,

and I saw that Lynn
Williams wasn't starting,

I would've dropped to my knees
and thanked the football gods.

[whistle blows]

[commentator] And we're underway,
Washington Spirit in the black

versus the defending
champions, Gotham FC,

for a place in next
Saturday's final.

[commentator 2]
Another quick turnover,

Esther's gonna try to
get on the end of it.

[commentator 1] Esther who
was the championship winner,

and she's hit the
top of the crossbar.

Inside the opening minute.

There's a little nutmeg.

And it's Carter's ball
in towards the far post.

And Stevens was not far away.

[commentator 2] It's a
fantastic start from Gotham.

[upbeat music playing]

[commentator 1] What can
the Spirit do offensively?

We've not seen them a great deal,
but Rodman in acres of space

and she's looking to take
advantage. Kouassi in the center.

- And it's Santos!
- [crowd cheering]

And Berger with a save
at the second attempt.

[commentator 2] Both teams with
their chances so far in this game.

[whistle blows]

[commentator 1] And that is it
for the end of the first half

with the score, Washington
Spirit nil, Gotham FC nil.

Very good job. We just need to
stay connected with the game, okay?

Make sure now that we are a
little bit better on the ball.

This is the moment, isn't it?
Forty-five minutes, we go out there,

we put them under pressure.

The 11 of you that are
coming on now on the pitch,

you go 200%, we keep pushing and we
keep pushing and we win the game. Okay?

Our offensive free kicks,
Trinity is just waiting.

Okay... [indistinct]

She's waiting to make, uh...

Even if she looks
like she's marking

she's not marking.

And we only have one, so
we need someone to be...

Okay, then she needs to come
out and do the job, okay?

All right? You got it ready?

Okay? Is that it?

Pick up, come on. Let's go!

[clapping]

The first half, um,
0-0 the entire time.

[commentator 1] So little between
the two sides in the regular season.

No points separated them then,
no goals separate them now.

Spirit did beat them twice
in regular season play.

What can they do here?

Sent in by Ryan towards
Esther! Oh, and it's in!

Esther, who won the championship
for Gotham last season...

[crowd cheering]

...has nodded the
ball past Kingsbury

for the opening
goal at Audi Field.

[commentator 2] What a wonderful
goal that is for Gotham and Esther.

Unfortunately, we did
concede that goal.

Obviously, when that happens,
you're kind of like, "Man..."

[commentator 1] We talked about
players for the big occasion.

We talked about
potential match winners.

She's done it before.
Has she done it again?

But there is still a long
way to go in this game.

[commentator 2] Without Andi Sullivan,
the best leader on this team,

how do they respond,
who can calm them down,

knowing that there's still plenty
of time left to go in this game?

They just need one opportunity
to get a goal back.

It's tough 'cause you want to do more,
but sometimes you just have to let...

other people do their thing.

[commentator 1] In the meantime,
Lynn Williams is about to come on.

First time she's ever come off
the bench in a playoff match.

She was very much a starter in
her career, but what a player

to be able to bring
off the bench.

Williams, Lynn Williams for Gotham goes
for goal, but can't work the goalkeeper.

[Heather] Gotham thinks that
they have this one in the bag.

There's only a few minutes
left in regulation.

[commentator 1]
Ratcliffe with control.

McKeown's made a run for it. The
center back wins a free kick.

[drums pounding]

[commentator 1] Morris with a
free kick. Oh, and the equalizer!

In stoppage time for
Washington Spirit!

[crowd cheering]

And rowdy Audi
Field has erupted!

[commentator 2] Hal Hershfelt,
one of the best targets,

one of the best players in the
air for the Washington Spirit

just rises above.

One-one, just like
that at Audi Field.

[crowd cheering]

I knew it was going to be intense.
I obviously didn't know how intense.

[Trinity] Hal coming in clutch.

Everyone kind of knew
she had it in her

'cause the energy that she brings
is really crazy in a good way.

As a rookie, she stepped up in a
way that I don't think she knew

that she was going to have to.

In that moment there's no
thinking, you're just reacting,

you're feeling, it's such,
like, an emotional moment.

[Nealy] They scored in, like,
the last couple minutes. Bummer.

It is what it is. Like, this is the
semis. You gotta give everything you have.

That was my mindset. Like,
put it in the past, move on.

[commentator 1] There is the end of the
90 and we are heading into extra time.

And if we're level after
the end of 30 minutes,

then we'll be going
to a penalty shootout.

Now, here's Rodman.

And supporters here just love
it when she's on the ball.

She brushes past Bruninha
who's already been booked.

[whistle blows]

Oh, what's the referee,
Matt Thompson gonna do here?

And he's taking his time.

And he's got the
yellow card out,

and that will swiftly
be followed by a red.

[Roger] It felt like a needless
foul. That was the agony of it,

but very quickly we forgot
all about the red card

because we were seeing two great
friends, Emily Sonnett of Gotham,

and Trinity Rodman of Washington Spirit
just get into it with each other.

It was as startling as if you
saw Wonder Woman face up to Storm

and say, "Let's drop
gloves, let's go for it."

That moment, that was
it. NWSL playoffs.

Friendships off, everything's
off in the pursuit of victory.

[commentator 2] Gotham in a
huge predicament. Down a player.

This is something that Washington
has to utilize to their advantage.

Up a player, push the pace,
end this in regulation,

but you have to dig deep.

[Nealy] And then we went down a man and
I was still like, "We can still win."

You trust anything could
happen in that moment.

[commentator 1] Rodman's
in here. Trinity Rodman.

Thought about going alone. Ooh,
and what a chance for Hatch!

And what a save by
Ann-Katrin Berger.

[whistle blows]

It's the end of it.

Either Washington
Spirit or Gotham FC

is about to advance to the final

with a penalty shootout
in just a moment.

There's nothing between
the Spirit and Gotham.

Stand by for drama.

[closing theme plays]