It was difficult to know what to expect from the Washington Spirit at the start of the season. The team was clearly in need of some new ideas after following up their 2021 NWSL Championship win by missing out on the playoffs in the next two seasons,

Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to lift the Orlando Pride to their first NWSL Championship in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday at CPKC Stadium. With the win, the Pride became the first team since 2019 to follow up winning the NWSL Shield (best regular-season team) with an NWSL Championship,

Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride their first National Women’s Soccer League championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday night.