The Orlando Pride clinched their first National Women’s Soccer League Shield at home on Sunday with a 2-0 win over the second-place Washington Spirit at Inter&Co Stadium.
Pride playmaker and captain Marta scored from the penalty spot in the 56th minute before Orlando midfielder Adriana saw her shot deflected for a Spirit own goal in the 73rd minute.
The Pride remain unbeaten through 23 games. No team has ever finished an NWSL season unbeaten. The Shield is the first trophy of any kind for the Orlando Pride.
Washington played the match without several stars, including United States international forward Trinity Rodman and French forward Ouleye Sarr, the team’s co-leading scorers with eight goals each. Starting defender Casey Krueger and midfielder Leicy Santos also missed the match due to injuries.
“It feels incredible. I’m going to get emotional,” Orlando defender Kylie Strom said. “We’ve gone through so much, this team, and to have Marta score the goal — I mean, you can’t write it. We’re so, so over the moon.”
Orlando is just the fifth franchise to win the NWSL Shield, which is awarded annually to the team that finishes No. 1 in the regular-season standings. San Diego Wave FC won the Shield last year.
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