Oct 6, 2024; Orlando, Florida; Orlando Pride forward Marta (center) holds the 2024 NWSL Shield. Photo copyright: Mike Watters/Imagn Images.
With a 2-0 win over the Washington Spirit, the Orlando Pride clinched the NWSL Shield on an electric Sunday night in front of their home crowd at Inter&Co Stadium. The victory kept Orlando’s unbeaten season intact, and extended their league best record of clean sheets, with three games still to play in the regular season.
The breakthrough for Orlando on Sunday came in the 56th minute when Brazilian legend Marta calmly converted a penalty kick after Washington’s Tara McKeown took down Pride forward Barbara Banda in the box. While Orlando earned the crucial 1-0 lead, McKeown walked away with a yellow card for the play.
But the Spirit defender’s misfortune didn’t end there. In the 72nd minute, Pride forward Adriana took a shot from outside the penalty area, which was deflected by McKeown and sailed past keeper Aubrey Kingsbury into the net. The goal gave Orlando a two-goal cushion,…
