This Saturday in Kansas City, NWSL enthusiasts will witness a championship matchup that promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent history. The Orlando Pride, on the hunt for a fairytale conclusion to their remarkable season, must overcome the resurgent 2021 champions, the Washington Spirit, who have been revitalized by a new manager and a standout rookie class.
The upcoming final sets the stage for a rare NWSL championship encounter between the regular season's top two teams. A unique aspect of the American playoff system—cherished by some, lamented by others—is its unpredictability. Postseason upsets are always on the table, and the regular season's best team doesn't always hoist the championship trophy. Just look at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer: despite setting a points record and winning the MLS Supporters Shield, they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs. In NWSL, last year's final featured the fourth- and sixth-place teams, with the No. 6 seeds, Gotham, emerging victorious. In 2022, the second- and fifth-placed teams clashed in the final, with the second-placed Portland Thorns claiming the title. In 2021, a contest between the third- and fourth-placed teams saw the No. 3 seeds, Washington Spirit, win their first championship. The pattern is clear.
This year, however, NWSL fans eager to see a showdown between the teams with the best regular season records are in for a treat. The No. 1 seeds, Orlando, have been one of the most captivating sports stories of the year. The Pride went 24 games unbeaten, a new league record, en route to securing the NWSL Shield. Under the guidance of NWSL's Coach of the Year, Englishman Seb Hines, Orlando breezed past Chicago in the playoff quarter-final and dispatched Kansas City last Sunday to reach the final for the first time in their history.
This season's success marks a significant turnaround for the team, which had struggled since entering the league in 2016. Before this season, Orlando had only made the playoffs once, in 2017, where they were easily beaten by the Thorns. That was the season Marta, one of the greatest players in history, joined Orlando. Even at 38, she continues to deliver moments of brilliance. In last week's semi-final, she broke through multiple defenders to score a game-deciding goal.
Marta attributes the team's success this year to a strong collective mentality. "They give everything," she said of her teammates. "They don't think only about themselves. They think only about the team. And we bring this spirit every single game, no matter what." With nine goals and one assist in the regular season, Marta has had an incredible year. However, a few key additions have also been crucial to the Pride's success. Barbra Banda, the Zambian forward, was the club's top scorer in the regular season with 13 goals in 22 matches. She has continued her stellar form in the postseason, scoring three goals in two playoff games despite facing extra defensive attention.
However, as Marta rightly emphasizes, Orlando's strength lies in their team dynamic. With four Orlando players contributing to Brazil's silver-medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics (including alternate Angelina), the cohesion of As Canarinhas' players has positively impacted the Pride. While goalscorers often dominate the headlines, Orlando's defense has been formidable. The Pride's 13 clean sheets are the most in the league. In 26 games in the regular season, they conceded just 20 goals, the joint-lowest total in the league. They also set a league record by going 554 minutes without conceding.
Orlando's robust defense will be crucial if they are to overcome Washington this Saturday. The Spirit's fluid, dynamic attack notched 51 regular season goals this year, second only to Kansas City Current, who set a league record with 57. Washington are led by former Barcelona boss Jonatan Giráldez, who took charge in the summer after winning a second Champions League title with the Catalans. Spirit's revitalized style has plenty of Spanish influence: Adrian Gonzalez, who was interim manager until Giráldez arrived after the end of the European season, instilled principles in the first half of the season that laid the groundwork for a smooth transition midyear.
Despite multiple season-ending injuries, Washington have been one of the most exciting teams in the league. Their second-place finish was well-deserved, as was their progress through the playoffs, which saw them win twice after extra-time (and penalties in the semi-final) in front of sold-out crowds. Given the caliber of the teams, the final seems sure to be close, though Orlando Pride enter as favorites. Regardless of the outcome, fans can look forward to an entertaining spectacle.
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