Top 10 Moments of 2024: Marta’s Magical Goal Secures Pride’s Spot in NWSL Championship Match

As we count down to the new year of 2025 — which will be Orlando City’s 11th in MLS, the Orlando Pride’s 10th in the NWSL, and OCB’s third in MLS NEXT Pro — and say goodbye to 2024, it’s time to look back at the club’s 10 best moments of the year as selected by The Mane Land staff via vote.

The Orlando Pride faced the Chicago Red Stars in the first round of the 2024 playoffs and were frankly not challenged by the NWSL’s No. 8 seed. The Pride may have struggled in their final few matches of the year, losing to the Portland Thorns and NJ/NY Gotham FC (after the Pride had already clinched the NWSL Shield), but it was a breath of fresh air to be dominating matches again, as two goals from Barbra Banda, one from Haley McCutcheon, and a penalty-kick goal from Marta left no doubt. After how well the Pride had played all season, it can be almost surprising to realize that the match was the first playoff victory in the club’s history.

As reward for their victory, the Pride advanced to face the dangerous Kansas City Current in the semifinals. The first meeting of these teams in the regular season was billed as the battle of the unbeaten clubs and ended in a 2-1 Pride victory, courtesy of Marta’s penalty kick in the 63rd minute. Looking for a spark for the rematch, Current players took offense at the nature of Orlando’s celebrations and promised revenge in the return match at Inter&Co Stadium later in the season. The rematch ultimately ended without any fireworks, as Orlando’s league-leading defense and Kansas City’s new defensive acquisitions each held the other’s attack in check, leading to a 0-0 draw.

After two close matches in the regular season, the Orlando Pride were well acquainted with the Kansas City Current and knew the playoff semifinal matchup would be much tougher than the quarterfinal win over Chicago. The Pride faced additional adversity early in the match. After a cagey opening third of the game, the Current found the back of the net first through Debinha in the 33rd minute. The assist came from a good cross from Michelle Cooper, but the goal was the sort that Orlando had prevented for most of the season. Kerry Abello and Emily Sams were both slightly out of position from stopping the cross. The Pride found parity just before halftime, as Ally Watt drove to the end line from the right wing and cut back a pass excellently to McCutcheon for her second goal of the year — both in the playoffs.

The second half of the match started well for the Pride. In the 51st minute, Marta stepped up to take a free kick in shooting range. Her shot was on target but was saved by Current goalkeeper Almuth Schult. Barely two minutes later, Pride defender Kylie Strom played a teasing ball to the feet of Banda, who used her body to shield the pass from the Kansas City defense, turned, and rifled an emphatic finish into the net to make it 2-1. Throughout the season, Orlando was almost invincible with a second-half lead. However, facing NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga and the league’s most potent attack in a playoff game, the Pride knew they would need additional cushion to see the match out.

Here is where Orlando captain Marta left her timeless mark on the match. Despite the lead, Orlando did not simply sit back for the final 40 or so minutes of the match and absorb pressure. The Pride continued to press Kansas City, hoping to generate turnovers and scoring chances for Banda and Marta, and that is exactly what happened.

When Current defender Kayla Sharples got caught with the ball under her feet, Banda pounced. By stretching to poke the ball away from Sharples, Banda managed to push it right into Marta’s path. Sensing an opportunity might be on, the Brazilian had rushed forward, and she was rewarded by being in the right place to take possession of the turnover.

The Brazilian star carried the ball in stride deep into Kansas City territory before Sharples, and her defensive partner, Alana Cook, caught up and positioned themselves between Marta and the net. Unfortunately for them, Marta has made a living off of making good defenders look silly on a soccer pitch. With one cutback, she sat down both defenders, sending them sliding past the play. Then, with a second quick move, she sliced past Schult, who had rushed out of her net. Finally, just before Hailie Mace could slide in from the side to block the effort, Marta toe-poked the ball into the net, finishing off one of the greatest solo goals in league history.

Marta’s passion at scoring such an important goal was infectious for her teammates and fans in Inter&Co Stadium. The goal was her second of the playoffs and 11th of the season overall. Later in the match, Kansas City managed to pull a goal back off a penalty kick in the 103rd minute, but it did not alter the final result — a 3-2 victory for the Pride. Instead, it granted “match-winning goal” status to Marta’s electrifying goal.

Marta and Orlando Pride history are so intertwined that the Pride as we know them would be completely different without the captain. The Goat. Marta. Now, after bringing an NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship to the City Beautiful, her legacy in purple is unimpeachable. The goal she scored to clinch the Pride’s spot in the championship match will go down as the cherry on top of an illustrious club career, whether she extends her time with Orlando this off-season or not. And that special goal in that special moment is certainly worth a spot in our list of the club’s top moments of 2024.

Come back through New Year’s Eve as we count down the remainder of the top 10 moments of 2024 for Orlando City, the Orlando Pride, and OCB.

Previous Top Moments of 2024

10. Orlando City’s massive second-half surge clinches top-four spot in Eastern Conference.

9. The Orlando Pride sign Zambian international striker Barbra Banda ahead of the 2024 season.

8. Facundo Torres scores his 47th goal for Orlando City, breaking the Lions’ all-time goal record.