In a historic moment, the Orlando Pride secured their first-ever National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Shield title with a dominating 2-0 victory over the Washington Spirit at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride’s captain and playmaker, Marta, scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 56th minute, followed by an own goal from the Spirit in the 73rd minute.
With this win, the Pride remain undefeated through 23 games, a feat never achieved by any team in NWSL history. The Shield marks the first trophy won by the Pride, and Marta was overcome with emotion as she held the trophy aloft. “It means everything to us,” she said. “We worked tirelessly from the start, and to finally achieve this is incredible. We deserve it, and I hope we can continue to make history.”
The Pride’s remarkable season has been a testament to their hard work and dedication. Despite missing several key players, including Trinity Rodman and Ouleye Sarr, the Spirit were unable to contain the Pride’s attacking prowess. Orlando’s defense, marshaled by Kylie Strom, was solid throughout, ensuring a clean sheet and a well-deserved victory.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman was in attendance to present the Pride with the newly redesigned trophy, marking a milestone moment for the franchise. With three games remaining, the Pride will look to maintain their unbeaten streak as they face the Portland Thorns, NJ/NY Gotham FC, and Seattle Reign FC.
For Marta, a six-time world player of the year, this victory is particularly sweet. “I’ve been here for eight years, and I wanted to make history with this team,” she said. “Tonight, I got my answer. I believe in this team, and we can achieve even more.”
The Pride’s journey to the top has been a remarkable one, considering their previous struggles. In the seven seasons prior to this campaign, the team finished in the bottom three of the standings five times, including a last-place finish in 2019. However, under the guidance of head coach Seb Hines, the Pride have transformed into a formidable force.
Hines, the first permanent Black head coach in NWSL history, was overcome with emotion as he celebrated the team’s triumph. “It means a lot to me,” he said. “I hope I can be an advocate for more Black head coaches around the world. With great support staff, you can achieve anything.”
As the Pride look ahead to the playoffs, they will be determined to make the most of their historic season. With the Shield secured, they will now set their sights on the championship title, and Marta is confident that they can achieve it. “I don’t think you’ll see this again,” she said. “It’s so special, and the way we did it was incredible.”
Leave a Reply