KANSAS CITY, NOV 24,(V7N) – Orlando Pride made history on Saturday, clinching their first-ever National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Washington Spirit, courtesy of a brilliant strike by Zambian forward Barbra Banda.

The Pride, led by their iconic Brazilian captain Marta, capped off a remarkable season, adding the championship trophy to their NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record.

Marta’s Moment of Glory

For 38-year-old Marta, regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of women’s football, the triumph was deeply emotional. After seven years with Orlando and a storied career with Brazil full of near-misses, Marta finally tasted championship glory at the club level.

Adding to the special moment, Marta’s mother, who had never seen her play in the NWSL, traveled from Brazil to witness the historic victory.

“I didn’t expect to have her in this moment, but God knows the right time for things to happen,” Marta told CBS. “We made the final, and then she’s here. This means so much.”

Banda’s Decisive Strike

Barbra Banda, a former professional boxer turned football star, scored the lone goal of the match in the 37th minute. Cutting in from the right wing, Banda left her marker, Esme Morgan, behind before rifling a powerful left-footed shot past Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

Washington came close to leveling the score just before halftime when Ashley Hatch’s header hit the post.

Despite intense pressure from the Spirit in the second half, the Orlando defense held firm. Trinity Rodman, a key player for Washington, repeatedly tested the Pride’s backline, while Rosemonde Kouassi forced a spectacular diving save from Orlando’s goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.

For all their dominance in the latter stages, Washington struggled to carve out clear opportunities, with Orlando’s determined defense sealing the victory.

Marta Reflects on a Seven-Year Journey

Marta, who retired from international football after helping Brazil to a silver medal at the Olympics, spoke passionately about the unique camaraderie within the Orlando squad.

“Playing with these players is something really special that I’ve never had before in any other club,” she said.

Reflecting on her commitment to the Pride since 2017, she added, “I’ve been asking myself why I’m still playing for Orlando after seven years. Now I have the answer: because it was time for me to be champion.”

The victory not only cements Orlando’s place in NWSL history but also sets the stage for an exciting future for the club, with Banda, Marta, and a resilient squad proving they have what it takes to perform at the highest level.

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