The Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit will compete for the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) Championship at CPKC Stadium on Saturday. The Pride is searching for its first title in franchise history, while the Spirit is looking to capture its second title.
Barbra Banda and the Pride entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed and have an overall record of 18-6-2 (60 points). Banda leads the team in goals (13) and assists (6).
Trinity Rodman and the Spirit produced similar success with an 18-2-6 (56 points) record to earn the No. 2 seed. Rodman is tied for a team-high eight goals this season and is second with six assists.
The Pride got the best of the Spirit with a 2-0 victory in their last meeting on Oct. 6.
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Barbra Banda’s first-half goal was her fourth of the playoffs, setting a new NWSL record.
Barbra Banda scores the first goal of the game 38th minute of the first half for the Pride, after attacking the right side of the net, to take the lead against Orlando.
The NWSL Championship game between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
The NWSL Championship game between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
More:After five chaotic years, NWSL contenders Washington Spirit ‘motivated by love’
Odds as of Saturday on BetMGM:
Michael Goodman writes “These sides both seem like teams of destiny. Orlando Pride seemingly came out of nowhere to dominate this year with Barbra Banda proving to be one of the shrewdest pickups in NWSL history and Marta rolling back the years at 38. … Ultimately though, it’ll be (Trinity) Rodman that makes the difference.”
Rohtas Wadera writes “Orlando has set the standard for everyone else to chase this season. Outside of the small slip-up to end the regular season, the Pride have been locked in all year with one goal in mind. They’re not going to let it slip now. The Pride will break the NWSL Shield curse and win it all.”
Amanda Westlake writes “The Pride will beat the Spirit. Barbra Banda and Marta are just too good – watching their respective semifinal goals leaves no doubt. Orlando has also won both of their playoff games without extra time, leaving their players with fewer minutes than Spirit’s – who went to extra time in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.”
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