After finishing last season at the bottom of the NWSL standings, Gotham FC was crowned champions on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium after a thrilling 2-1 victory over OL Reign.

The game was a dramatic back and forth that featured USWNT legends Megan Rapinoe, who had to leave the match after suffering an injury in the third minute, and Ali Krieger as both played their final match after announcing their retirements from professional soccer earlier this season.

Gotham took the lead when forward Lynn Williams got a quick pass from teammate Margaret “Midge” Purce and put the ball by goalkeeper Claudia Dickey from five yards out.

OL Reign responded quickly and tied the game just five minutes later when forward Rose Lavelle got past the defensive backline and beat goalkeeper Mandy Haught on a one-versus-one breakaway opportunity.

Gotham FC was able to regain the momentum retaking the lead in the second minute of added time after Purce executed a perfect corner kick that found the head of teammate Esther González who headed the ball past Dickey.

OL Reign pushed forward in the second half trying to find the tying goal and had several chances including two clear ones from midfielder Veronica Latsko and one in the final minutes for Lavelle that went over the crossbar. The team from Seattle had one last gasp after a free-kick was given on the last play of the game after Haught got a red card for playing the ball with her hands outside the box, but the shot went wide giving Gotham FC its first NWSL championship.

Photos by David Frerker