The crew for the 2025 NWSL Championship on Saturday, November 22, has been announced. The showpiece game between Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC will kick off at 8PM ET at PayPal Park.
Washington Spirit vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
PayPal Park (8PM ET)
REF: Natalie Simon
AR1: Chris Schurfranz
AR2: Matt Trotter
4TH: Nabil Bensalah
VAR: Shawn Tehini
AVAR: John Krill
RAR: Christian Clerc
Meet the crew:
Natalie Simon
Will referee a third NWSL final, having overseen the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and 2022 NWSL Championship. Has also been fourth official at the 2021 NWSL Championship and 2023 USL Championship Final. Has officiated 20 games across MLS, NWSL, USL Championship, and MLS NEXT Pro this year, with a further four as fourth official in MLS.
Chris Schurfranz
Was assistant referee for the USL Jägermeister Cup Final last month and reserve assistant referee for the 2024 USL League One Final. Has officiated across NWSL, USL Super League, USL Championship, USL League One, and MLS NEXT Pro this year.
Matt Trotter
Has worked almost 30 games across NWSL, USL Super League, USL Championship, and MLS NEXT Pro this season. Was the reserve assistant referee for the 2024 USL Jägermeister Cup Final.
Nabil Bensalah
Has refereed 22 games this year across MLS, NWSL, USL Championship, and MLS NEXT Pro, plus a further 10 as fourth official in MLS. Made his debut as a referee in MLS in Matchday 37. Was fourth official for the 2024 USL League One Final, where he was joined on the crew by Schurfranz.
Shawn Tehini
A regular in the booth in MLS and NWSL this year, totaling 36 games across both competitions. Has also served NWSL, USL Super League, USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro as a referee in 2025. Working her third showpiece final of the year after being the VAR for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the start of October and the fourth official for the NWSL Challenge Cup in March.
John Krill
Active as an assistant referee on the field across MLS (making his debut in Matchday 5), NWSL, USL Championship, USL League One, and MLS NEXT Pro this season, with a further 21 games as AVAR in MLS and NWSL. Returns for a second NWSL Championship as AVAR having been in the booth for Orlando Pride vs Washington Spirit last year.
Christian Clerc
Has spent the majority of his season on the field or working as an AVAR in NWSL. Has also been an AVAR in MLS on four occasions and officiated in USL Championship and MLS NEXT Pro as an assistant referee. This will be his first showpiece final.
PRO wishes all the officials a successful and enjoyable final. This important assignment recognizes their excellent work throughout the season.