Orlando Pride Wins First Soccer Championship

The Orlando Pride women's soccer team followed up a dominant season in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit in the championship game.

Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute when she jumped on a ball and put in a left-footed shot past Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.  The goal was Banda's fourth of the playoffs which set a new single postseason NWSL record and earned her the Championship MVP award.  She also scored in all three playoff games which was also a new league record.

Watch full highlights from the game here:  https://youtu.be/b86gxe4vX_s?si=KBksEitMMepb1a1P

The Pride played their first season in 2016.  Their only previous postseason appearance was in the 2017 semifinals losing to Portland Thorns FC 4-1.

NWSL Final Standings:

1. Orlando Pride 18-6-2 (60 points)
2. Washington Spirit 18-2-6 (56)
3. NJ/NJ Gotham FC 17-5-4 (56)
4. Kansas City Current 16-7-3 (55)
5. North Carolina Courage 12-3-11 (39)
6. Portland Thorns FC 10-4-12 (34)
7. Bay FC 11-1-14 (34)
8. Chicago Red Stars 10-2-14 (32)
9. Racing Louisville FC 7-7-12 (28)
10. San Diego Wave FC 6-7-13 (25)
11. Utah Royals 7-4-15 (25)
12. Angel City FC 7-6-13 (24)
13. Seattle Reign FC 6-5-15 (23)
14. Houston Dash 5-5-16 (20)

Playoffs
Quarterfinals

Orlando 4, Chicago 1

Kansas City 1, North Carolina 0

Washington 2, Bay FC 1

NJ/NY Gotham FC 2, Portland 1

Semifinals

Orlando 3, Kansas City 2

Washington 1(3), NJ/NY Gotham FC 1(0)

Final

Orlando 1, Washington 0

For more information on the NWSL:   https://www.nwslsoccer.com/