The Orlando Pride defeated the Washington Spirit 2-0 to sweep the season series and clinch the league’s best record, thereby claiming the NWSL Shield for 2024. The Pride went out and did what they’ve done all year — control the game, limit opposing chances, and manage to find a way to break through a stout defense on a rainy Sunday night in Central Florida.

Barbra Banda continued to show why she is so special even when not finding the score sheet, generally creating space, pulling multiple defenders out of position, and drawing the penalty that finally broke the deadlock. Marta similarly did Marta things, including converting the penalty, and Adriana created chaos of her own, including forcing the own goal that ensured the victory.

At the other end, solid individual and team defending, some timely saves by Anna Moorhouse (and let’s be honest, a little luck, although of the Pride’s own making) preserved the clean sheet in a historic win.

With the victory, Orlando claimed more records in this remarkable season, including:

• Extending the Pride’s NWSL unbeaten record (24 games).
• Extending Moorhouse’s individual season record for clean sheets in a season (13 games).
• Tying the single-season club record for the most clean sheets (13 games, equaling the 2021 Portland Thorns).
• Tying the NWSL single-season record for most wins and most points (17 and 57, respectively, equaling 2018 North Carolina Courage).

We hope you enjoy this extended gallery of images from the Pride’s NWSL Shield-clinching game and the subsequent well-earned celebration.

The Pride return to action Friday night on the road, facing the Portland Thorns.

The Orlando Pride continued to roll Saturday night as they defeated the Houston Dash 3-1, extending their unbeaten streak to 23 league games. Excitement around the team has finally started to catch hold, with the attendance of 17,087 setting an Inter&Co Stadium record for the Pride.

Orlando came out and dominated the first half, with several good chances. Eventually, Cori Dyke recycled an attack with a long cross into the box, where Carson Pickett was waiting in miles of space to head it over Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell. On the other end of the pitch, Houston did not get a shot off until three minutes into first-half stoppage time.

Angelina extended the Pride’s lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute with a laser shot from outside the area. The Pride then had a rare moment of lapsed concentration, finally conceding for the first time in six games, but not until after they had seized the league record for the longest scoreless stretch (554 minutes). Viviana Villacorta made her return to play late in the game after requiring a year to recover from a torn ACL. Marta showed she still has magic in her boots, scoring late on a Marta-esque solo effort in stoppage time.

With this victory and other results this weekend, Orlando can clinch the NWSL Shield if the Pride can defeat the Washington Spirit on Sunday.

We hope you enjoy these images from the Pride’s latest victory.

The Orlando Pride played host to the Kansas City Current on a humid and rainy Friday night, resulting in a well-played but scoreless draw. Both teams were wary of each other’s high-powered attacks, and clearly felt the effects of the heavy weather conditions. Despite the deliberate play, the game was far from boring though, with both teams playing precise and patient buildups, with most of the athletic passages of play occurring during the opening and closing stages of the game.

That does not mean there were not chances created, especially as Orlando dug deep to push for a late winner. In the last 15 minutes, the Pride were stymied by two excellent late-game Almuth Schult saves on the Current’s end on Marta, followed shortly after by a near miss by Haley McCutcheon. In general, the respective goalkeepers had good games. Schult had three excellent saves and one tricky “schross” that bounced off the goal line (causing consternation for the fans, but it clearly did not clear the line) among her five saves.

At the other end, the Pride’s defensive work effort smothered or directed Kansas City’s shots straight to Anna Moorhouse. The Pride goalkeeper contributed a good tip wide of the post in her three saves and forced a Temwa Chawinga break to a wide angle that was subsequently missed. Her best save didn’t count because the play was called offside.

After facing down one of the top teams in the league, Orlando extended its record-breaking unbeaten run. The Pride are now unbeaten in 21 straight league games (24 in all competitions), and have not conceded since the Summer Cup break.

The Pride next play on the road at Bay City FC Friday night.