Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit for 1st NWSL Championship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —  Barbra Banda’s goal stood up as the winner to lift the Orlando Pride to their first NWSL Championship in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday at CPKC Stadium.

With the win, the Pride became the first team since 2019 to follow up winning the NWSL Shield (best regular-season team) with an NWSL Championship, and the third time it has ever happened.

It also meant a first NWSL Championship for six-time world player of the year Marta, 38, who has been with the Pride since 2017.

“I f—ing waited eight years for this moment,” the player from Brazil said during the trophy presentation. “[It’s] most special because it’s the first time my mom is in America.”

She added to CBS Sports: “With these players, it’s something really special that I never had before in any other club, so I’m so happy.

“I’ve asked myself why I still play for Orlando. After eight years, I’m the only player in this club since 2017, and I have so many questions about it. Now I have the answer — it’s because it was time to be champion.”

Banda broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when she latched onto a ball played in behind by midfielder Angelina. Banda cut back inside onto her left foot and distanced herself from Spirit defender Esme Morgan to hit a left-footed shot that beat Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

The goal was Banda’s fourth of the playoffs, setting a new single postseason NWSL record, and earned her the Championship MVP award. She also scored in all three playoff games this postseason, which is a new league record.

Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez argued with the fourth official following the goal, which came after a strong challenge from Angelina on Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos.

The physical first half featured 14 combined fouls and three yellow cards.

Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi was cautioned in the 28th minute for dragging down Banda on a counterattack.

Three minutes later, Pride defender Kerry Abello received a yellow card for an open-field trip of Spirit forward Trinity Rodman.

Washington midfielder Hal Hershfelt entered the books for a hard challenge only moments before halftime.

Washington nearly equalized two minutes into the second half, when Kouassi got her head on Rodman’s cross at the 6-yard box, but Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made a quick reaction save.

Orlando came close to doubling its lead near the hour mark when Banda broke free again in the open field. Marta, playing in her first NWSL Championship, sprinted to join her on the counterattack, but Banda did not play the ball centrally to her open teammate.

The Pride held on as Washington pushed for a late equalizer. Orlando had not lost when leading at halftime in 15 previous occasions this season.

Orlando is the fourth team in league history to win in its first NWSL Championship appearance.

Washington appeared in two previous finals, winning the title in 2021.