
<p>Saturday’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL</a> final wasn’t just something for winners <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/gotham-fc-tv-schedule/">Gotham FC</a> to celebrate. CBS Sports had a fine night as well, with an average of <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGang/status/1724474306040627660" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">817,000 viewers watching</a> the NWSL Championship on the CBS network and Paramount+.</p>



<p>This makes the game only the second NWSL match to surpass 800,000 viewers – last season’s title game which pulled in 915,000 viewers on the same duo of platforms is the only other.</p>



<p>Speaking strictly of streaming, the OL Reign vs Gotham tilt was the most-streamed NWSL match ever.</p>



<p>It certainly helped that the clash was the swan song for two US Women and NWSL legends – Megan Rapinoe and Ali Kreiger. Rapinoe, unfortunately, suffered a non-contact injury just minutes into the game.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="596" height="502" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231114_WST_469992_Screenshot-2023-11-14-at-1.27.33-PM.webp&amp;width=596&amp;height=502" alt="" class="wp-image-469996" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-14-at-1.27.33-PM.png 596w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-14-at-1.27.33-PM-300x253.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px"></figure><figcaption>Big figures for the NWSL and CBS</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2>New deal is on the horizon</h2>



<p>This game was the last under the previous NWSL media deal, which had exclusively been with CBS Sports. CBS remains a league partner moving forward as part of a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/nwsl-tv-deal-boosts-revenue-but-makes-it-harder-to-find-games-20231109-WST-468746.html?utm_source=Klaviyo&amp;utm_medium=campaign&amp;_kx=ik-Ogu0_iUD23oE9Z8CcQASHGz2oG4sbLlUgU5kjJwAKMCXwlHAdXgIYzBM_aZ7C.SDRVpV">four-year, multi-broadcaster deal</a>, with several games including the final remaining on CBS and Paramount+.</p>



<p>While the 2023 Championship was not quite as big of a ratings hit as the 2022 edition, it’s still a seriously impressive number. It’s a positive trend for the league in general, and for CBS who’ll have the final in the next four years as well.</p>



<p>Something to keep an eye on however was how NWSL and CBS presented the game’s availability. It was not made clear leading up to the match that to watch live on Paramount+ required the upper tier “Paramount+ with Showtime” plan.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="583" height="655" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231114_WST_469992_Screenshot-2023-11-14-at-2.06.14-PM.webp&amp;width=583&amp;height=655" alt="" class="wp-image-470017" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-14-at-2.06.14-PM.png 583w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-14-at-2.06.14-PM-267x300.png 267w" sizes="(max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px"></figure><figcaption>Just regular Paramount+ right? As it turned out, not so much.</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>Fans who do not have the premium Paramount+ account, nor cable/satellite/antenna, and were expecting to be able to watch the game were <a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/NWSL/comments/17tf207/paramount_plus_cut_feed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understandably upset</a>. Previous games on CBS had been available to all Paramount+ subscribers.</p>



<p>That wasn’t the only thing that had some fans irked. Field conditions at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego were less than appropriate for a league final. While it was not as poor as the previous week’s semifinal hosted by the San Diego Wave at the venue, a few patchy areas remained on the grass field and American football markings and logos could be seen peeking through in places.</p>



<h2>Top local markets for NWSL Championship</h2>



<p>It’s no surprise that the #1 market for the game was the home base of one of the finalists. Seattle-Tacoma was tops overall but were surely left disappointed with their side not taking the trophy:</p>



<p>1 -Seattle-Tacoma<br>2- Louisville<br>3- Knoxville<br>4- Nashville<br>5- New Orleans<br>6- St. Louis<br>     Portland<br>8- Fort Myers<br>9- Raleigh-Durham<br>     Hartford<br>     Albuquerque<br>     Dayton</p>



<p>It’s a testament to the difficulty in cracking the metro-New York area market that NYC is not on the list, despite being Gotham’s home turf. Also interesting is that of these top markets, only four have NWSL sides.  </p>



<p>None of the others are (at least publically, anyway) even on the radar for expansion. You’d have to think that both the NWSL and the upcoming USL Super League will be considering where WoSo fans are watching these big games when scouting for future club locations.</p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago</em>.</p>


NWSL Championship draws 800K viewers on CBS

It was a big night for the NWSL and CBS, with the Championship drawing the second-most viewers ever for a league game.

NWSL Championship draws 800K viewers on CBS - World Soccer Talk


<p>As the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season came to a close on Saturday, Gotham FC completed an improbable run from the depths of the league to the summit by defeating the OL Reign 2-1 in the championship game.</p>



<p>It was meant to be a sendoff for legends <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/uswnt-sends-off-megan-rapinoe-with-win-in-final-game-20230925-WST-458350.html">Megan Rapinoe</a> and Ali Krieger in the most anticipated <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL championship</a> game in the league’s short existence. </p>



<p>However, the plot of the game was abruptly altered by the early injury to Rapinoe.</p>



<p>In the third minute of a scoreless contest, Rapinoe fell down with an injury that wasn’t caused by contact. She made a run at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/gotham-fc-tv-schedule/">Gotham</a>‘s Maitane Lopez, who was dribbling just beyond the penalty area when she abruptly fell down.</p>



<p>After lying on the field for almost two minutes, the 38-year-old athlete was eventually helped up by the training personnel. After that, she returned to the Reign’s bench at Snapdragon Stadium by walking along the sideline.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="409" height="471" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231112_WST_469484_image-6.webp&amp;width=409&amp;height=471" alt="" class="wp-image-469551" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-6.png 409w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-6-261x300.png 261w" sizes="(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px"></figure><figcaption>Megan Rapinoe montage after her last game</figcaption></figure>



<p>Ali Krieger of Gotham FC and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/uswnt-tv-schedule/">U.S. Women’s National Team</a>, who is also retiring from the sport like Rapinoe, went up to give her a hug at the conclusion of the game. The veteran winger’s injury was not immediately known to be serious. In a postgame interview with CBS, the Olympic gold medalist, however, revealed that she may have ruptured her Achilles tendon in the incident.</p>



<p>Despite the match being promoted as a battle between legends Rapinoe and Krieger, it was the latter who ended up on top, lifting her first NWSL title in her 18-year-old career.</p>



<h2>Gotham’s new signings overshone veterans’ efforts</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the New Jersey club had the worst record in the whole National Women’s Soccer League a year ago, finishing at the bottom of the table. Gotham made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history thanks to some key personnel changes, a new coaching staff, and an overhauled attitude.</p>



<p>On Saturday in San Diego, two of the new recruits shone as unsung heroes. One of them was Lynn Williams, a two-time NWSL champion who was acquired in a trade with Kansas City on draft day.</p>



<p>Williams matched Kristen Hamilton for the most NWSL championships finals played when she took the field for Gotham in this, her fifth appearance. However, with the victory, she became the league’s first four-time champion, a feat that had never been accomplished before. She significantly contributed to that achievement by opening the scoring in the 24th minute.</p>



<p>Five minutes later, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/ol-reign-tv-schedule/">OL Reign</a> midfielder Rose Lavelle replied with a goal of her own, a beautiful left-footed effort that beat goalie Mandy Haught. Then, Esther Gonzalez scored in first-half stoppage time to give Gotham the lead for good after the Seattle opponents had tied the game.</p>



<h2>Contest peaked in dying minutes</h2>



<p>There was a lot of tension in the game’s closing minutes. Gotham FC almost lost control of the clash after their goalie Mandy Haught was sent out in extra time, but they were able to hang on to their advantage.</p>



<p>After the <a href="https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/var-101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-ever VAR review</a> in NWSL Championship history, Haught was sent off for a handball infraction and the evident missed goal-scoring chance that resulted from the play. After all of Gotham’s subs were used up, defensive back Nealy Martin suited up in goal.</p>



<p>Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle took the subsequent free kick, but it was blocked by a group of players before it could reach the back of the goal. A few seconds later, the referee sounded the final whistle, officially giving Gotham the win.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title

On Saturday, Gotham FC beat Megan Rapinoe's OL Reign 2-1, forcing her to leave her final game in her professional career with an injury.

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title - World Soccer Talk


<p>Get the best of women’s soccer in the Big Apple with the World Soccer Talk NY/NJ Gotham FC TV schedule.</p>



<p>The club now known as Gotham FC is one of the longest-running women’s pro clubs in the US, actually predating the NWSL and it’s predecessor league, WPS.</p>



<h2>Gotham FC TV Schedule</h2>



<p><em>Gotham FC on TV and streaming: U.S. only:</em></p>


<div class="stvs-grid" id="team-317164-50-America/New_York"></div><div class="wst-home-matches"></div>



<p><strong>Founded:</strong> 2006 (First NWSL Season 2013)<br><strong>Stadium:</strong> Red Bull Arena<br><strong>Manager:</strong> Juan Carlos Amorós<br><strong>NWSL Titles:</strong> 0 <br><strong>Other Titles:</strong> WPS (2009)</p>



<h2>Where Can I Watch the Gotham FC Match?</h2>



<p>Starting in 2024, the NWSL has a four-year national broadcast rights deal split between ESPN, CBS, Amazon, and Scripps Sports (ION).</p>



<p>Friday night games each week will feature on Amazon’s Prime Video service. Prime video will also carry one of the league’s playoff quarterfinals.</p>



<p>The CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network will air a minimum of 21 games throughout the year, including a quarterfinal, semifinal, and the NWSL Championship all on the main CBS network. Games on over-the-air CBS will also stream on <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/vnzRry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>, the network’s subscription video on demand and live streaming service.</p>



<p>20 games will be televised on ESPN platforms (either ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and/or ESPN Deportes). All of these games will be simulcast live on the streaming service <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq">ESPN+</a>.</p>



<p>And finally, 50 regular season matches are set to be aired on the ION TV network (available over-the-air and on most cable/satellite plans) as part pf 25 Saturday night doubleheaders.</p>



<p>The remaining regular season matches not part of the national TV schedule will be streamed directly by the NWSL.</p>



<h4>Watch Gotham FC on Fubo:</h4>


<p>
</p><table class="table5" style="border: 5px solid red;">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="width:100%">
<td style="width:70%">
<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Premier League, Liga MX, Ligue 1, + 84 Sports Channels</center>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:#ef4923; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noopener"><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231013_WST_461601_FRVO-1.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=100" alt="Fubo" width="200" height="100"></figure></a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><center><a class="button" style="background-color:red" href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>7-Day Free Trial</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>
&nbsp;



<h5>Gotham FC History</h5>



<p>NY/NJ Gotham FC actually began life back in 2006, as Jersey Sky Blue, kicking off in 2007 in the semi-pro USL W-League. After one season, the club became known as Sky Blue FC.</p>



<p>The organization was chosen to be the New York representative for Women’s Professional Soccer, the new pro league that launched in 2009. </p>



<p>The first pro season was a success, as Sky Blue won the league championship, defeating one-year wonders the LA Sol in the final. </p>



<p>The next two WPS seasons were not as fruitful, with the club missing the playoffs. 2011 turned out to be the curtain call for the entire league, as like the WUSA before, it lasted only three seasons.</p>



<p>However, this was not the end for Sky Blue. The club was chosen to be one of the eight founding teams of the new NWSL, which was to kick off in 2013. While some former WPS teams played a bridge season in the one-year WPSL Elite League in 2012, Sky Blue sat out and re-started in the NWSL. </p>



<p>They’d make the semifinals in that first NWSL campaign, but that remains the high watermark to date for the side in the league. 2018 saw the club struggle immensely, winning only one match – the final game of the season.</p>



<p>This timeframe also coincided with troubling reports of mismanagement and poor player treatment. Unprofessional training facilities, inadequate player housing, and other cost-cutting measures caused serious issues. Several players refused to sign for the club, despite being drafted, as a result. </p>



<h6>The Gotham Era</h6>



<p>By 2020, things began to turn around, however, as a partnership with the NY Red Bulls of MLS brought sharing of training facilities and Red Bull Arena, improving conditions for players. Spring 2021 brought with it the rebrand to NY/NJ Gotham FC. </p>



<p>In addition, several high-profile athletes have joined as minority owners of the club. These include Carli Lloyd, Kevin Durant, Sue Bird, and Eli Manning. </p>



<h5>Don’t miss a Gotham FC Match</h5>



<p>Courtesy of World Soccer Talk,&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ultimate-soccer-tv-streaming-guide/">download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide</a>, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming.</p>



<table style="border-collapse: collapse">
<tbody>
<tr style="width:100%">
<td style="width:50%">
<figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231013_WST_461601_AppBannerLeft-1.webp&amp;width=590&amp;height=175" alt="Soccer TV Schedules App" height="175" width="590"></figure></td>
<td style="width:25%"><a href="https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01HD2CNDGE5YDT5JNJR46BGNJK_34" target="blank" rel="noopener"><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231013_WST_461601_AppBanner_Apple-1.webp&amp;width=290&amp;height=175" alt="App Store" height="175" width="290"></figure></a></td>
<td style="width:25%"><a href="https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01HD2CNDGE5YDT5JNJR46BGNJK_35" target="blank" rel="noopener"><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231013_WST_461601_AppBanner_Google-1.webp&amp;width=290&amp;height=175" alt="Google Play" height="175" width="290"></figure></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>



<p>To find out when soccer games are on, download the free&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/12/26/soccer-tv-schedules-app-making-it-easier-to-watch-soccer-games-on-tv/">Soccer TV Schedules App</a>&nbsp;which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soccer-tv-schedules/id1543713555" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple iOS devices</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.worldsoccertalk.SoccerTV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Android devices</a>).</p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago</em></p>


Gotham FC TV Schedule: Watch The Goths in action

Get the best of women's soccer in the Big Apple with the World Soccer Talk NY/NJ Gotham FC TV schedule in the USA.

Gotham FC TV Schedule: Watch The Goths in action - World Soccer Talk

We rate and review the 2023 NWSL kits for each team to analyze which clubs did best at designing memorable shirts for the new season.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Gotham FC"

CBS Sports

NWSL Championship draws 800K viewers on CBS

Leagues: NWSL

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title

Leagues: NWSL

Gotham FC TV Schedule: Watch The Goths in action

Kits

2023 NWSL kits reviewed ahead of new season