Reign and Rapinoe, Gotham and Krieger advance to NWSL championship game before retiring

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OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe jumps over digital boards to celebrate with fans after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt gestures towards fans after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) points to teammate forward Veronica Latsko, third from right, after Latsko scored during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match against the San Diego Wave, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe, center, passes the ball as San Diego Wave defender Christen Westphal defends during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan reacts after a missed opportunity during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match against the OL Reign, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign forward Veronica Latsko, left, calls for the ball as San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma defends during the first half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey blocks a shot during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match against the San Diego Wave, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign defender Phoebe McClernon squirts water into the stands as goalkeeper Claudia Dickey looks on, left, after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey celebrates after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan, left, controls the ball as OL Reign defender Lauren Barnes defends during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan, center, reacts after a missed opportunity as OL Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, left, controls the ball during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match against the OL Reign, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign defender Phoebe McClernon, front, tosses her jersey into the stands as teammate goalkeeper Claudia Dickey looks on after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe is lifted into the stands by fans to celebrate after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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OL Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, right, celebrates with teammate defender Phoebe McClernon after the OL Reign defeated the San Diego Wave 1-0 to win an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By SUSIE RANTZ

💬

Veronica Latsko’s second-half goal was all OL Reign needed to defeat the San Diego Wave 1-0 and earn a spot in the National Women’s Soccer League championship game.

The Reign will face Gotham FC for the league title on Saturday at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. Gotham took down the Thorns 1-0 at Portland’s Providence Park in the other semifinal match.

The wins for Gotham and the Reign ensure Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger will end their careers in a championship match. Both longtime NWSL and U.S. women’s national team players will retire after the final.

Neither team has won an NWSL final, which means the league will have a new champion in its 11th season.

In the 47th minute, Latsko sent a long cross into the box from the right side. It looped over the head of Kailen Sheridan and slipped into the far-post corner. Latsko also scored the lone goal in the Reign’s quarterfinal win.

The Reign held the Wave, the NWSL Shield winner, to just two shots in the first half and defended as a team after Latsko’s goal on San Diego’s home field.

“I thought we defended really well. This group has worked so hard this year, and to finally get back to where we believe we belong is just an unbelievable feeling,” coach Laura Harvey said after the final whistle.

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In the other semifinal, Katie Stengel scored the lone goal in the 107th minute to put Gotham through to its first NWSL final.

The teams played a physical, defensive battle in periodic downpours before Stengel’s goal. They combined for just six shots on goal while being whistled for 38 fouls.

After a scoreless 90 minutes, the match went to 30 minutes of extra time. With 13 minutes to go, substitute Stengel curled a shot into the upper left corner from the top of the box, beating an outstretched Shelby Ann Hogan in goal for Portland.

“I think I’m still dreaming,” Stengel said after the match. “I’m shocked it actually went in and we get to go to San Diego.”

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer