Barbra Banda's goal lifts Orlando Pride over Washington Spirit

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 after the match: "Incredible moment. Playing the championship final, take this trophy home and share this moment with my mom, it's something in my best dream, I [can't] believe. ... This moment, it's so special for me.

"This moment gave me so many answers. I've been in Orlando for so long and I see players come and leave. We had ups and downs. Some seasons we were OK but not good enough.

"I always ask myself what I'm looking for because I stay in Orlando. I was not satisfied with all of the other seasons. I feel like I don't want to leave this place without doing something really big. ... Tonight I had all the answers."

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.

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"That was a great moment for me," Banda said. "As that ball came for me, I don't hesitate. I always want to take on the defenders, so I saw that opportunity and I had to put the ball into the back of the net. I saw the positioning of the goalkeeper, so it was great for me."

"For us," Marta quickly interjected, drawing a laugh from the room.

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.

"For me, it's an excuse to speak about the physical conditions," Giráldez said after the match.

Kingsbury took blame for conceding the goal, saying it should have been a "routine save" before moments later Morgan said the goal was her fault.

"I think that's what I'm finding so frustrating, replaying in my head, is that we dealt with [Banda] so well for most of the 90 minutes barring just the goal and I'm kicking myself for it," Morgan said.

"I think I was just thinking in my head back to the away game, there's times where she goes down softly in the box so I was kind of reluctant to get too tight in case there was a dive involved."

The physical first half featured 14 combined fouls and three yellow cards.

Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi was cautioned in the 28th minute for dragging down Banda on a counterattack.

Three minutes later, Pride defender Kerry Abello received a yellow card for an open-field trip of Spirit forward Trinity Rodman.

Washington midfielder Hal Hershfelt entered the books for a hard challenge only moments before halftime.

Orlando's victory completed a turnaround for what was one of the league's worst clubs historically in years past. The Pride made the playoffs only once prior to this season, in 2017, and endured low points like a last-place finish in 2019 with a league-record 53 goals conceded.

This year, the Pride set multiple NWSL records, including points in a season (60), wins (18), consecutive wins (eight) and games unbeaten to start the season (23).

"I wish I could say when I got here [in 2021], I believed this club was going to turn it around, but there were times where we were at rock bottom, and I couldn't see any light," Pride defender Kylie Strom said.

"So, to go from that place to where we are now, I have no words to describe it. It is incredible and we're going to keep going. We're never going back."

Washington nearly equalized two minutes into the second half, when Kouassi got her head on Rodman's cross at the 6-yard box, but Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made a quick reaction save.

Orlando came close to doubling its lead near the hour mark when Banda broke free again in the open field. Marta, playing in her first NWSL Championship, sprinted to join her on the counterattack, but Banda did not play the ball centrally to her open teammate.

The Pride held on as Washington pushed for a late equalizer. Orlando had not lost when leading at halftime in 15 previous occasions this season.

Orlando is the fourth team in league history to win in its first NWSL Championship appearance.

Washington appeared in two previous finals, winning the title in 2021.

The Pride's championship is the first for an Orlando professional sports team. The team will be honored with a parade in downtown Orlando on Monday.