Marta, Orlando Pride capture first NWSL Championship
At last, Brazil's 38-year-old, six-time Olympian wins her maiden league title with the Florida club she's known since 2017.
Football
Marta and the Orlando Pride won their first-ever National Women’s Soccer League Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the final on Saturday (23 November).
Woman of the match Barbra Banda struck the lone goal in the 37th minute, latching on to a ball over the top from Angelina before hitting past Aubrey Kingsbury.
Captain and Brazilian legend Marta finally lifted the trophy on this night before a sellout crowd at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, having been with the club since their second season of existence in 2017.
“I believe so much that god knows what time is the right time for things to happen,” said the 38-year-old six-time Olympian, whose mother watched her play in the US for her first time.
“I’ve been asking myself why I still play for Orlando after eight years. I’m the only player in this club since 2017.
“I had so many questions but now I have the answer because it was time to be champion.”
Banda’s goal was her fourth of the play-offs, a league record. Orlando had not finished higher than seventh apart from Marta’s first year with the team and this season, when they were top of the table.
Marta celebrates her maiden championship with her mother, who saw the six-time Olympian play in the NWSL for the first time.