Banda's goal leads Orlando Pride to NWSL championship

Barbra Banda has scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride their first National Women's Soccer League championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the final. Zambian Banda dribbled into the right side of the box and made a move past a defender before beating the goalkeeper with her shot. She became the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs. The Pride's Angelina was nearly called for a push before passing it to Banda, but the VAR determined that the play was fair. The Spirit (20-7-2) controlled the game and outshot the Pride 25-9, had two more shots on goal and held 58 per cent of possession. Rosemonde Kouassi had Washington's best chance in the 47th minute when she headed a ball from about 10 yards away. Orlando's win gave 38-year-old Brazilian star Marta her first NWSL title. Top-seed Orlando (21-6-2) went unbeaten in their first 23 matches, a league record. They beat the Kansas City Current in the semi-finals before hoisting the trophy at CPKC Stadium, their home field. Orlando are the first team since 2019 to win the Shield and the title in the same year. Washington had won their last five playoff games when trailing at the half, but that streak was broken with this loss.