Rose Lavelle scores the winning goal for No. 3 seed Gotham in the final game for Thorns legend Christine Sinclair.

The final quarterfinal of this year's NWSL Playoffs felt like the changing of the guard, in a way. The Portland Thorns, the league's most successful team, were the underdogs against NJ/NY Gotham FC, the reigning champions who surprised many by winning last season's championship after a history of being one of the NWSL's bottom-dwellers.

Luckily, Gotham FC did not do that by any means. They dominated Portland to win 2-1 despite some defensive mistakes and poor attacking quality at times. Tierna Davidson and Rose Lavelle scored for the Bats, with Lavelle scoring the winning goal in stoppage time.

Revenge is on the cards when reigning NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham FC hosts the Portland Thorns in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 10. In the 2023 semifinals, Gotham was the underdog lower-seed traveling out west to face Portland.

Rose Lavelle scored in stoppage time and Gotham FC defeated the Portland Thorns 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs

Portland Thorns are chasing a fourth NWSL playoffs victory to give Christine Sinclair the ultimate end to her playing career.

To do that, they first have to beat Portland Thorns FC . Gotham FC won the two games in the regular season, including the recent 2-0 win at home . The question is whether they can win again for a third time. The Thorns are still a good team and always compete in the NWSL Playoffs.