Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit for 1st NWSL Championship - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to lift the Orlando Pride to their first NWSL Championship in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday at CPKC Stadium.

With the win, the Pride became the first team since 2019 to follow up winning the NWSL Shield (best regular-season team) with an NWSL Championship, and the third time it has ever happened.

It also meant a first NWSL Championship for six-time world player of the year Marta, 38, who has been with the Pride since 2017.

«I f---ing waited eight years for this moment,» the player from Brazil said during the trophy presentation. "[It's] most special because it's the first time my mom is in America."

She added to CBS Sports: «With these players, it's something really special that I never had before in any other club, so I'm so happy.

»I've asked myself why I still play for Orlando. After eight years, I'm the only player in this club since 2017, and I have so many questions about it. Now I have the answer — it's because it was time to be champion."

Banda broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when she latched onto a ball played in behind by midfielder Angelina. Banda cut back inside onto her left foot and distanced herself from Spirit defender Esme Morgan to hit a left-footed shot that beat Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

The goal was Banda's fourth of the playoffs, setting a new single postseason NWSL record, and earned her the Championship MVP award. She also scored in all three playoff games this postseason, which is a new league record.

Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez argued with the fourth official following the goal, which came after a strong challenge from Angelina on Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos.

The physical first half