Miami (AFP) – Orlando Pride won the National Women’s Soccer League championship for the first time with Zambian Barbra Banda getting the goal in a 1-0 win over Washington Spirit on Saturday. Orlando, inspired by veteran Brazilian star and captain Marta, had already won the NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record and followed that up with victory in the playoff final at Kansas City.
For 38-year-old Marta, widely considered to be the greatest woman player of all-time yet one who has a large collection of silver medals with Brazil, it was an emotional occasion. Marta’s mother had travelled from Brazil to watch her play in the NWSL for the first time and she was able to witness her daughter taste victory after seven years with the Florida club. “I didn’t expect to have her in this moment but I believe so much that God knows what time is the right time for things to happen,” Marta told broadcaster CBS after the game. “I just figured out her visa in the last minute. She missed the semifinal game. We made the final, and then she’s here. This means so much.”
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Banda, a former professional boxer, fired Orlando ahead in the 37th minute, cutting in from the right flank, losing marker Esme Morgan, and firing a left-foot shot inside the near post past Spirit keeper Aubrey Kingsbury. Washington went close to an equaliser just before the break when Ashley Hatch headed against the post. The Spirit were on top for most of the second half with USA international Trinity Rodman causing plenty of problems. Rosemonde Kouassi forced Orlando’s English keeper, Anna Moorhouse, into a diving save after she met a Rodman cross with a firm header.
But for all Washington’s pressure in the latter stages, they were unable to create clear-cut chances against a determined Orlando back line. Marta retired from international football after the Olympics, where Brazil picked up a third silver medal, losing to the USA in the final. The midfielder said she had found a unique bond with her teammates in Orlando.
“Playing with these players is something really special that I’ve never had before in any other club, so I’m so happy,” she said. “I’ve been asking myself why I’m still playing for Orlando after seven years. I’m the only player in this club since 2017, and I have had so many questions about it. Now I have the answer. Because it was time for me to be champion.”
© 2024 AFP
