Pride shuts out Spirit to capture first NWSL championship
Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute and the defense did the rest for the Orlando Pride, who defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 in the NWSL championship game Saturday night in Kansas City, Mo.
The Pride began this season on a 23-match unbeaten run, earned the top playoff seed and set the league record for points in a season with 60. Now, they have won their first league title in franchise history.
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Banda, who had 13 goals in the regular season, scored her league-record fourth goal of the playoffs on an assist from Angelina. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made five saves as the Pride notched another shutout — they had 13 clean sheets in the regular season.
The title was especially meaningful for Marta, the Brazilian legend who is the FIFA Women’s World Cup all-time leading goal-scorer. This marks the 38-year-old’s first NWSL championship in her eighth season in Orlando.
“I didn’t expect like ever (to be) in this moment here, but I believe so much that God knows what time is the right time for things to happen,” Marta said on the CBS broadcast. “… This means so much. Playing with these players, it’s like something really special that I never had before at any other club, so I’m so happy.”
Banda was named MVP of the championship game, a prestigious end to the Zambian star’s first season in the NWSL. At the trophy ceremony, she was asked what the award meant to her.
“Well, thank you very much. This award goes to Orlando Pride!” Banda screamed in jubilation.
Aubrey Kingsbury made two saves for the second-seeded Spirit, who were seeking their second title in four years. Forwards Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman had multiple chances at a goal saved, blocked or narrowly miss the net.
The Pride went on a counterattack in the 15th minute, but Kingsbury made an easy save on Marta’s shot attempt.
Rosemonde Kouassi was assessed a yellow card in the 28th minute for pulling Banda to the ground in a tussle for the ball, but Orlando made nothing of the ensuing free kick.
Then came Banda’s goal. She received a lead pass from Angelina in the right corner, dribbled into the box and hit a left-footed shot that glanced off Kingsbury’s leg and into the net.
Moorhouse saved shot attempts by Hatch in the 65th and 67th minutes. Moorhouse also stopped Rodman’s header in the 74th.
Washington had possession for most of second-half stoppage time and got into the box on multiple occasions, but Orlando’s physical defense kept the ball away from danger. On a Spirit corner kick, Kingsbury came up from her post to play offense and headed the incoming kick, but it went straight to a Pride defender.
