The No. 1 Orlando Pride capped off an extraordinary 2024 season by defeating the No. 2 Washington Spirit 1–0 on Saturday night at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City to secure the 2024 NWSL Championship—the first in team history. With this victory, the Pride achieved a remarkable double, finishing as both the NWSL Shield Winners and the NWSL Champions, marking the first time since 2019 a team has accomplished this feat. Notably, they became the first professional sports team from Orlando to bring home a major league trophy.

The Pride’s journey to the title was nothing short of historic. They shattered league records for:

  • Most points in a season: 60
  • Most wins in a season: 18
  • Most clean sheets in a season: 13

Undefeated at home throughout 2024, the Pride finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0-3 record, securing decisive wins at Inter&Co Stadium in both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

The team’s dominance was also reflected in the End-of-Year NWSL Awards, with Seb Hines earning Coach of the Year, Emily Sams taking Defender of the Year, and five Pride players—Sams, Marta, Barbra Banda, Anna Moorhouse, and Kerry Abello—named to the Best XI.

Championship Game Highlights

The Pride’s victory came courtesy of a brilliant goal from Barbra Banda, her fourth of the NWSL Playoffs, setting a new league record for most goals in a postseason. Banda’s decisive strike in the 37th minute, assisted by Angelina, sealed the win. Angelina, with her pinpoint lofted pass, made history as the first international player to register an assist in an NWSL Final.

Behind the attack, the Pride defense was impenetrable. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse delivered five crucial saves, while the backline—anchored by rookies Cori Dyke, Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, and Emily Sams—secured the team’s 14th clean sheet of the season.

Post-Game Celebration

The city of Orlando will honor the Pride’s historic achievement on Monday, Nov. 25, with a parade and celebration hosted by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m., traveling down Orange Avenue and culminating at Orlando City Hall. Fans are invited to join the festivities, featuring the Pride players, Walt Disney World’s Main Street Philharmonic, special guests, and giveaways.

Photo Source: Orlando Pride