Gotham and Seattle face decisive NWSL finales

Gotham FC enters the final day of the NWSL regular season with a three-point lead over the San Diego Wave. A victory or a tie against Utah Royals on November 1 would secure Gotham’s first league Shield. If Gotham loses, San Diego can claim the trophy by beating Bay FC, with the Wave holding the tiebreaker on goal difference.

Gotham has led the standings for much of the season but has had late-season ups and downs. Forward Midge Purce said the team was ready for the occasion, while coach Juan Carlos Amorós urged players to stick to their style and processes. Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw, who missed last weekend’s match, practiced this week; Amorós did not say whether they would play Sunday.

The last playoff berth is also at stake. Seattle, currently eighth with 42 points, will qualify with a win over Orlando Pride. North Carolina is two points behind Seattle and needs a win over Denver plus dropped points from the Reign. Denver, three points back, must win and have Seattle lose to reach the postseason.

North Carolina forward Ashley Sanchez has another milestone within reach. With 20 goals this season, she would set the league’s single-season scoring record with a goal against Denver. A goal or assist would also break the single-season goal-contributions mark. The regular-season finale features all eight matches at 5 p.m. ET on November 1.