October 6, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Orlando Pride News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Pride (17-0-6, 57 points) defeated the Washington Spirit (15-6-2, 48 points) 2-0 on Sunday night to win the 2024 NWSL Shield, presented by CarMax. The victory tied the league record for points in a single season with 57 and wins with 17.
The Pride earned the Club’s first trophy in their history, clinching the NWSL Shield with three games remaining in the regular season. The Pride are the sixth different team to win the Shield and the first team to clinch it while being undefeated. Orlando is now unbeaten in 23 consecutive matches this season, 24 dating back to last season.
The teams stayed level through a cagey first half. Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made a key stop in the 25th minute to keep her 13th clean sheet of the season. The 13th clean sheet ties the NWSL record for most shutouts in a season by a single club. Orlando threatened the Spirit backline throughout the first period, but the score remained blank through 45 minutes.
The Pride continued to attack in the second half and finally broke through early. Barbra Banda raced through the Spirit backline before she was fouled by Washington defender Tara McKeown in the penalty box. Orlando captain Marta took to the spot and slotted home the opening goal to put the Pride ahead, serving as her eighth goal of the season.
Orlando doubled its advantage soon after with the Pride pressuring the Spirit backline, and Adriana forcing a turnover deep in the Washington half. She dribbled into the box and fired a shot which deflected off McKeown and into the goal.
Scoring Summary:
57′ Marta (Penalty Kick) – ORL 1, WAS 0
Orlando opened the scoring in the second half from the penalty spot. Barbra Banda broke through the backline, and Washington defender Tara McKeown fouled Banda in the box. The Pride’s captain coolly took to the spot and placed the ball past the Spirit goalkeeper’s outstretched fingertips.
73′ Tara McKeown (Own Goal) – ORL 2, WAS 0
The Pride pressed high, and Adriana forced a turnover deep in Washington’s half. She drove into the box and fired an early shot. The ball ricocheted off Spirit defender Tara McKeown and trickled over the goal line to double Orlando’s advantage.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“A lot of praise has to go to the players and what they’ve done, they’ve been incredible. Their efforts and what they’ve put into this year, and I said to them before, it wasn’t our time last year. They were…