Marta Praises Orlando as Pride Clinch Their First NWSL Championship
Marta and the Orlando Pride celebrated a historic milestone, securing their first NWSL championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday. The triumph was sealed by a stunning solo goal from Barbra Banda, whose remarkable playoff performance made her the first player to score in all three rounds. Despite Washington’s relentless attacks, Orlando’s defense held firm, delivering an unforgettable win.
For Marta, the moment carried profound personal significance. Her mother, visiting from Brazil to watch her play live in the U.S. for the first time, witnessed her daughter’s emotional celebration. Marta, who joined the Pride in 2017, expressed her gratitude and joy after the game.
“It means so much. I didn’t expect her to be here for this moment, but I believe God knows when the right time is for good things to happen,” Marta shared. “To witness these players, my teammates, is something really special. I’ve never experienced this at any other club. I kept wondering why I stayed at Orlando, but now I know — it was to win the NWSL championship. I waited eight years for this!”
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Banda’s Moment of Magic
The first half saw both teams opt for aggressive attacking strategies rather than measured build-ups. Washington appeared to settle faster, with Trinity Rodman constantly testing Orlando’s defense. However, neither side created clear chances in the opening 35 minutes.
Enter Barbra Banda. The Zambian international dazzled, tormenting defenders Casey Krueger, Esme Morgan, and Tara McKeown. Her incredible individual goal saw her dribble past Morgan, cut inside, and score at the near post. Washington contested the goal, believing there was a foul in the build-up, but VAR found no clear and obvious error.
Defensive Heroics Define the Match
The Spirit upped their pressure in the second half. Ashley Hatch’s powerful header off a corner rattled the woodwork, while Trinity Rodman’s pinpoint cross nearly led to an equalizer. Yet Orlando’s defense, led by goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, stood resilient.
Despite dominating possession with 58% and registering 23 shots (only five on target), Washington couldn’t break through. Former USWNT goalkeeper Jillian Loyden described Orlando’s defensive effort as a “block party,” and it was enough to secure a historic victory for the Pride.
