Gotham FC Celebrate 2025 Title After Draw With Courage

Gotham FC players receive their championship rings after a scoreless draw in their 2026 home opener.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gotham FC, the 2025 NWSL champions, celebrated their title by holding a ring ceremony for last year's team before their 2026 home opener against the North Carolina Courage. The ceremony was a coronation for a team that overcame a slow start to the 2025 season and snuck into the playoffs as the eighth and final seed before going on to win the championship. While Gotham settled for a 0-0 draw in their 2026 home opener, the players were still thrilled to receive their championship rings and look to build on last year's success.

Why it matters

Gotham FC has emerged as one of the NWSL's top teams, winning two of the past three league championships. The ring ceremony celebrated the team's recent success and solidified their status as a budding dynasty in the league. However, the players know they must remain consistent and continue to put in the work to defend their title and cement their place among the NWSL elite.

The details

Gotham FC players one by one walked across the stage at Sports Illustrated Stadium to receive their championship rings from club owners Carolyn Tisch Blodgett and Ed Nalbandian. The ceremony was a highlight of Gotham's 0-0 draw with the North Carolina Courage in their 2026 home opener. While Gotham controlled possession, they struggled to generate quality scoring chances against a tough Courage defense. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger kept a clean sheet for Gotham, who have yet to allow a goal in their first two games of the season.

  • Gotham FC won the 2025 NWSL championship.
  • The ring ceremony took place on Saturday, March 22, 2026, prior to Gotham's home opener against the North Carolina Courage.

The players

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett

Co-owner of Gotham FC.

Ed Nalbandian

Co-owner of Gotham FC.

Lilly Reale

A player on Gotham FC's 2025 championship team.

Ali Krieger

A member of Gotham FC's 2023 championship-winning team.

Tierna Davidson

A Gotham FC player who appeared in her first match in nearly a year after being sidelined with a torn ACL.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I love it. It's gorgeous, such a pretty ring … This is amazing. As good as it gets, really. I'm so happy with it.”

— Lilly Reale, Gotham FC player

“When we look across the pitch, we see dominance, we see grit, we see greatness. We see a dynasty in the making.”

— Ali Krieger, Member of Gotham FC's 2023 championship-winning team

“The goal is to be consistent and those consistent performances hopefully will result in wins, which results in trophies. We are a club that likes to take it one step at a time and is really committed to putting in the work and to get it done the right way.”

— Tierna Davidson, Gotham FC player

What’s next

Gotham FC will look to build on their 2025 championship and continue their quest to establish a dynasty in the NWSL. Their next match is against the Kansas City Current, the 2025 NWSL Shield winner, on April 5th.

The takeaway

Gotham FC's ring ceremony celebrated the team's recent success, but the players know they must remain consistent and continue to put in the work to defend their title and cement their place among the NWSL elite. The team is striving to build a dynasty, but they understand there is still a lot of work to be done.