The final quarterfinal of this year's NWSL Playoffs felt like the changing of the guard, in a way. The Portland Thorns, the league's most successful team, were the underdogs against NJ/NY Gotham FC, the reigning champions who surprised many by winning last season's championship after a history of being one of the NWSL's bottom-dwellers.

Rose Lavelle may have scored the dramatic game-winner, but Gotham's victory on Sunday was propelled by their lesser lights.

New Jersey soccer fans turned out in force to watch Gotham FC outlast Portland in the team's first home National Women's Soccer League playoff match.

Revenge is on the cards when reigning NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham FC hosts the Portland Thorns in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 10. In the 2023 semifinals, Gotham was the underdog lower-seed traveling out west to face Portland.

Gotham FC waited 11 seasons—14 if you count WPS—to treat their fans to a playoff game in New Jersey. In the end it was Rose Lavelle’s goal seven minutes into stoppage time that delivered Gotham a 2-1 victory over the Thorns and a trip to Washington for next weekend’s National Women’s Soccer League semifinals.