Rose Lavelle scored the tying goal in the 85th minute as Gotham FC secured a 2-2 draw with Racing Louisville in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) on Sunday. With this result, Gotham (9-7-9) clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs with one regular-season match still remaining. This marks the third consecutive year Gotham has advanced to the postseason.
In the other NWSL match on Sunday, the Portland Thorns also secured a playoff berth with a 1-0 victory over Angel City.
### Gotham FC vs. Racing Louisville
The match opened in New Jersey with Gotham taking the lead early. Jaelin Howell scored her fourth goal of the season with a powerful long-range strike in the 15th minute. Racing Louisville responded in the 29th minute with Janine Sonis leveling the score 1-1 through a deflected shot from inside the box.
After halftime, the visitors took the lead when rookie Sarah Weber slashed a bouncing ball from six yards out into the net in the 65th minute, making it 2-1. However, Lavelle had the final say, curling a stunning direct free-kick from 20 yards just inside the post to tie the game at 2-2.
Racing Louisville (9-9-7) currently sits eighth in the standings—the final playoff spot—with a two-point cushion over ninth-place North Carolina Courage, with one match left to play. Since joining the league in 2021, Louisville has yet to reach the NWSL playoffs.
### Portland Thorns vs. Angel City
With the win, the Portland Thorns (10-8-7) clinched a league-record ninth consecutive playoff appearance. Angel City (7-12-6) had already been eliminated from playoff contention prior to kickoff at BMO Stadium. The Thorns got off to a perfect start in the 23rd minute when 20-year-old Sophia Moultrie skillfully switched the ball between her feet to create space and unleashed a shot into the top corner from 21 yards out, putting Portland ahead 1-0.
In the 60th minute, after Sara Doorsoun fouled Reilyn Turner in the box, Moultrie calmly converted the resulting penalty for her eighth goal of the season, extending Portland’s lead to 2-0.
Angel City brought on veteran players Christen Press in the 60th minute and Ali Riley in the 82nd. Both received a standing ovation from the home fans on what was their final home appearance in Los Angeles before retiring at the end of the season.
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