More than 180 matches over eight months have finally led to this moment: a 2025 NWSL champion is going to be crowned on Saturday.

The finalists? On one side, an NJ/NY Gotham FC team that won the title two years ago, but snuck into this season's playoffs as the last seed. On the other, the Washington Spirit , who fell in last year's final to the Orlando Pride .

Ahead of Saturday's championship, ESPN contributors Joseph Lowery and Megan Swanick dig into the big storylines -- underdogs, Trinity Rodman 's contract, and more -- before predicting how it'll all shake out.

- NWSL faces litmus test to retain Trinity Rodman's star power

- Riley Tiernan's unlikely path to NWSL rookie star

- NWSL GM Survey: Execs raise concerns about salary cap

Underdog: Which team's spot in the fin

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