Playoff soccer can be a fickle beast, but the 2024 NWSL season has provided a matchup of titans in the league final as the regular season champions Orlando Pride take on second-place finisher Washington Spirit.
It’s a fitting matchup as the top two teams all year long make good on that with a spot in the title match. It’s especially notable for the Orlando Pride, who reached the playoffs just once in their seven previous NWSL seasons until this year.
Across 2024, Orlando were far and away the best team in the league, reaching 23 matches unbeaten to start the year before suffering two defeats in their final three regular season games. They have put those brief struggles behind them when it matters most, though, as they knocked off the Chicago Red Stars and Kansas City Current in the playoffs to reach this stage.
Washington, meanwhile, finished the year with a flourish, losing just once since the start of July to rocket up the table and grab the second spot. After knocking off newcomers Bay FC in their first playoff match, it took a penalty shootout to down defending champions Gotham FC and reach the final.
Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
- TV…
