Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute and the Orlando Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women’s Soccer League championship.
NWSL Championship Soccer Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt, left, and Orlando Pride forward Adriana (9) battle for control of the ball during the second half of the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride forward Marta, right, celebrates with midfielder Morgan Gautrat, left, after they defeated the Washington Spirit in the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, right, hugs Pride defender Carrie Lawrence after they defeated the Washington Spirit in the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse kisses the trophy after the team defeated the Washington Spirit in the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride team members celebrate after they defeated the Washington Spirit in the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt, center left, looks on as the Orlando Pride celebrates after winning the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello, left, and Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, right, battle for the ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, right, blocks a shot on goal by Washington Spirit during the second half of the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch (33) tries to head the ball into the goal during the second half of the NWSL championship against the Orlando Pride at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, center, raises her MVP trophy after the team defeated the Washington Spirit in the NWSL championship soccer game at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, in grey, clears the ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium against the Orlando Pride, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina, left, battles Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt, right, for a ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) leaps into the air to make a play on a ball in front of Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt, right, during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina, center, celebrates her assist on a goal by Pride forward Barbra Banda with teammate Pride defender Cori Dyke (31) during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium against the Washington Spirit, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) and Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos (10) battle for the ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (22) runs past Washington Spirit defender Tara McKeown (9) during the second half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
NWSL Championship Soccer Orlando Pride forwards Marta, center, and Barbra Banda, right, lift the NWSL championship trophy together after defeating the Washington Spirit in an NWSL soccer game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute and the Orlando Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women’s Soccer League championship.
Banda dribbled into the right side of the box and made a move past a defender before kicking the ball with her left foot past goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury. Banda earned the championship MVP award and became the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs.
“I believe that God knows when the right time is for things to happen,” Marta said.
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Washington Spirit lose 1-0 to Orlando Pride for 2024 NWSL Championship
The Pride’s midfielder Angelina was nearly called for a push before passing it to Banda, but the VAR determined the play was fair.
“It feels good to win the championship in the playoffs and I’m proud of this team,” Banda said. “It feels natural to play with Marta because she’s my idol.”
The Spirit (20-7-2) controlled the game and outshot the Pride 25-9, had two more shots on goal and held possession 58% of the time. Rosemonde Kouassi had Washington’s best chance in the 47th minute when she headed a ball from about 10 yards away.
“Sometimes you get great chances and you can score, but today we couldn’t,” Washington coach Jonatan Giráldez said.
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, who was dealing with an ongoing back injury, took five shots and played 90 minutes.
Top-seed Orlando (21-6-2) went unbeaten in its first 23 matches, a league record. The Pride beat Kansas City in the semifinals before hoisting the trophy at CPKC Stadium.
Orlando is the first team since 2019 to win the Shield and the title in the same year.
“This means everything, we’ve been through so many times and have been working for this moment,” Orlando Pride coach Seb Hines said.
Washington had won its last five playoff games when trailing at the half, but that streak ended with the loss.
