Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride their first National Women’s Soccer League title with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit on Saturday night.
Banda moved to the right of the box and passed the defender before kicking the ball with his left foot past the goalkeeper. He became the first player in the NWSL to score a point in each round of the playoffs.
The Pride’s Angelina was almost called for a push before passing it to Banda, but VAR ruled the play fair.
The Spirit (20-7-2) controlled the game and outshot the Pride 25-9, had two more shots on goal and held 58% of the time. Rosemonde Kouassi had Washington’s best chance in the 47th minute when she headed the ball in from 10 yards out.
Orlando’s win gives Brazilian star Marta her first NWSL title.
WATCH | Pride capture 1st NWSL Championship in franchise history:
Barbra Banda’s goal in the 37th minute gave the Orlando Pride their first National Women’s Soccer League title with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit.
Top-seeded Orlando (21-6-2) is undefeated in its first 23 games, a league record. They defeated the Kansas City Current in the semifinals before lifting the trophy at CPKC Stadium, their home field.
Orlando is the first team since 2019 to win the Shield and the title in the same year.
Washington had won its last five playoff games when trailing at the half, but that streak was broken with this loss.
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