SAN JOSE, Calif. — On the heels of a stellar season, the Washington Spirit will return to the nation’s capital in disappointment.

For the second year in a row, the Spirit lost in the NWSL Championship game — this time falling 1-0 to Gotham FC in San Jose, Calif.

The Spirit was doomed by Rose Lavelle’s 80th-minute strike for Gotham FC.

Second-half substitute Bruninha drove into the box on the left wing and sent the ball across to Lavelle, whose left-footed shot sailed past Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury into the bottom corner of the net.

It is the first NWSL championship title for Lavelle, who had scored in the 2023 final when she was playing for the Seattle Reign against Gotham in a 2-1 loss.

Although the Spirit held the lion’s share of possession, Gotham FC’s relentless attack ul

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