Not only does this year’s NWSL championship mark the end of the season.
It also marks the end of the careers of USWNT legends Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger.
Rapinoe’s OL Reign takes on Krieger’s NJ/NY Gotham FC to take the title. Both teams have the opportunity to win their first championship before the veterans leave the beautiful game for good.
Gotham FC made it to the final after beating defending champion Portland Thorns and Sophia Smith in the semifinals, 1-0. They were the sixth, and lowest, seed in the playoffs. The OL Reign reach the match as the fourth seed after winning, 1-0, against Alex Morgan and the San Diego Wave FC.
No matter who captures the trophy, four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will win. She is engaged to Rapinoe and is part of the ownership group of Gotham FC. The former Seattle Storm star made a joke on social media that she needs a split jersey a la NFL mom Donna Kelce for the big game.
Here is everything you need to know for the 2023 NWSL championship:
What time does the 2023 NWSL championship start?
The 2023 NWSL championship kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
How to watch the 2023 NWSL championship on TV?
The 2023 NWSL championship will air on television on CBS.
How to live stream the 2023 NWSL championship?
The NWSL final will be livestreamed on CBSSports.com and Paramount+.
Who is playing in the 2023 NWSL championship?
The OL Reign play NJ/NY Gotham FC in the 2023 NWSL championship.
The OL Reign finished the season 9-8-5 while NJ/NY Gotham FC went 8-7-7. The two clubs split their regular-season matches against each other.
Both teams feature USWNT stars playing in their final match. Forward Megan Rapinoe caps off her illustrious career playing for OL Reign. Defender Ali Kreiger takes a bow after playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC. Both players have won two World Cups together.
Rapinoe is tied for second in the NWSL with five assists and the Reign is tied for second with 31 goals on the season.
Gotham FC has scored 28 goals this year and is led by seven netted balls from Lynn Williams, who is also on the USWNT.