Reflections on the Pride Lifting the NWSL Shield

When I was packing for my overnight trip to see the Orlando Pride play the Washington Spirit, I made a really good decision. I packed rain jackets for my wife and I. I never get down to as many matches in any given season as I’d like, so it’s gratifying when I seemingly pick the right one. Sunday’s match was one of those times that the trip was truly worth it.

I knew that the Pride had an opportunity to win the NWSL Shield. In fact, I secretly knew it was likely to happen. That’s how much I believe in this team. Like many of you, I’ve been a supporter from the very beginning. Unlike many of you, I also cover the team from a journalistic standpoint — which is something I invite you to do by joining The Mane Land staff.

My wife and I were sitting near some visiting Spirit supporters. Let me say that they were all nice and enthusiastic in their support for their team. I don’t blame them one bit. I will also give them credit for maintaining their enthusiasm even after the Pride had the lead. Of course, my wife and I also expressed our enthusiasm after each of the Pride goals.

After Marta’s penalty kick, I felt a nugget of joy and anticipation welling inside of me at the prospect of seeing the Pride win a trophy. After the own goal — that in my heart is Adriana’s goal — I believe my exact, shouted words were “We’re winning the Shield…today!”. The nugget had grown to fill my entire chest.

After the final whistle, I saw the team rush the field in celebration while I was high-fiving and hugging people. What you probably didn’t see on the broadcast was how quickly they set up the stage, the banner, and all the fireworks for the presentation of the NWSL Shield. It was impressive, and I think all those people behind the scenes deserve a shout out for the job they did.

As Marta lifted the Shield, it’s a good thing that it was raining so you couldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I’m joking, of course. Not about the tears but the desire to hide them. I love this club, and I love what those both on and off the pitch have done to give us all this moment. I had the opportunity to speak to Haley Carter, Seb Hines, and Jarrod Dillon following the match. I can share that they had the same look of joy I know was on my face. I’ll also share that each of them acknowledged that the job isn’t done. It was a great night.

Perhaps the most impressive thing is that there is still more to accomplish for this club. The Pride have a chance to go undefeated in 2024 across all competitions. If they do that, then another trophy awaits them. Even if they don’t go undefeated, they can still win the NWSL championship (provided the defeat comes in the regular season, of course). Then there are the records, like most clean sheets, most points in a season, and most wins in a season (all records for which they are currently tied). Even if the Pride don’t accomplish any of those items — though I’d never bet against them — this is still the greatest season by any Pride team ever.

I’ll finish with this thought: If you ever have the opportunity to see a club you support lift a trophy, do it. It’s raining…who cares? You have to drive four hours…who cares? I’ve often said on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride Podcast that soccer is days, weeks, months, and years of frustration and heartbreak, with moments of utter joy sprinkled in. This was one of those moments, and I will always remember it.