Orlando Pride beat Washington to win 1st-ever NWSL title
The Orlando Pride secured their first National Women’s Soccer League championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday night. Barbra Banda was the hero of the match, scoring in the 37th minute to clinch the title for her team. Banda’s goal came after she skillfully dribbled past a defender on the right side of the box and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury with her left foot. Her performance throughout the playoffs earned her the championship MVP award, making her the first player in NWSL history to score in every round of the postseason.
In addition to Banda’s heroics, Brazilian star Marta also played a crucial role in Orlando’s victory, securing her first NWSL title. Marta expressed her gratitude for the win, stating, “I believe that God knows when the right time is for things to happen.”
The Pride’s midfielder Angelina played a key role in setting up Banda’s goal, with VAR confirming that the play leading to the goal was fair despite initial concerns of a push. Banda praised her teammate Marta, calling her idol and expressing pride in winning the championship alongside her.
The Washington Spirit put up a strong fight, controlling the game and outshooting the Pride 25-9. Despite having more shots on goal and dominating possession with 58% of the time, they were unable to find the back of the net. Head coach Jonatan Giraldez acknowledged the missed opportunities, stating, “Sometimes you get great chances and you can score, but today we couldn’t.”
Orlando, the top seed in the league, had an impressive season, remaining unbeaten in their first 23 matches, a league record. They continued their dominance in the playoffs, defeating Kansas City in the semifinals before claiming the championship at CPKC Stadium. The Pride’s victory also marked a significant achievement, as they became the first team since 2019 to win both the Shield and the title in the same year.
Despite Washington’s resilience and past success in playoff games when trailing at halftime, their streak came to an end with this loss. Orlando Pride coach Seb Hines expressed his team’s dedication and hard work leading up to this moment, emphasizing the significance of their championship win.
Overall, the Orlando Pride’s triumph in the NWSL championship was a culmination of talent, teamwork, and determination, solidifying their place in league history.
