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Harper Becomes First Gopher to Win NWSL Championship with Gotham FC
11/22/2025 9:37:00 PM | Soccer
Gotham FC defeated the Washington Spirit, 1-0
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota soccer alum Khyah Harper won the 2025 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Championship with Gotham FC on Saturday night, defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0.
Harper, a Lino Lakes, Minn., native, is the first Golden Gopher to hoist the NWSL trophy in program history.
She appeared in 12 games this season, logging 205 minutes during the regular season. The forward scored her first career goal against the Chicago Stars on Aug. 2.
Harper also netted the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over CF Monterrey during the first group stage of the 2025-26 Concacaf W Champions Cup. During the 2024-25 season, she helped Gotham win the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup with a 1-0 victory over Tigres UANL on May 24.
Rose Lavelle scored the game-winner for Gotham in the 80th minute of the championship to defeat the Spirit.
This year's title marked Gotham's second NWSL championship in the last three seasons. The club previously won in 2023, defeating OL Reign (now Seattle Reign) 2-1.
In both championship runs, Gotham entered as the lowest seed, the No. 8 seed in the eight-team playoff in 2025 and the No. 6 seed in the six-team playoff in 2023.
Harper, a Lino Lakes, Minn., native, is the first Golden Gopher to hoist the NWSL trophy in program history.
She appeared in 12 games this season, logging 205 minutes during the regular season. The forward scored her first career goal against the Chicago Stars on Aug. 2.
Harper also netted the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over CF Monterrey during the first group stage of the 2025-26 Concacaf W Champions Cup. During the 2024-25 season, she helped Gotham win the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup with a 1-0 victory over Tigres UANL on May 24.
Rose Lavelle scored the game-winner for Gotham in the 80th minute of the championship to defeat the Spirit.
This year's title marked Gotham's second NWSL championship in the last three seasons. The club previously won in 2023, defeating OL Reign (now Seattle Reign) 2-1.
In both championship runs, Gotham entered as the lowest seed, the No. 8 seed in the eight-team playoff in 2025 and the No. 6 seed in the six-team playoff in 2023.
2025 Season Highlights
Thursday, October 30
Play in Focus: Sarah Martin
Tuesday, October 21
Highlights: Gophers 0, Oregon 0
Sunday, October 19
Highlights: Gophers 2, Washington 3
Friday, October 17