NWSL championship: Barbra Banda scores to help Orlando Pride and Marta win first title
Brazil legend Marta celebrated the first NWSL championship of her glittering career after the Orlando Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday.
Zambia striker Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute to give Orlando their first NWSL title.
The Pride began this season with a 23-match unbeaten run and set the league record for points with 60 from 26 games.
Banda, 24, ended her first season in Orlando with 13 goals in the regular season and four in the play-offs, while Marta, 38, scored nine, then two in the play-offs.
Saturday’s victory in Kansas City marks a triumphant end to Marta’s eighth season in Orlando and the 24th year of her professional career.
“I didn’t expect ever [to be] in this moment here, but I believe so much that God knows what time is the right time for things to happen,” the six-time Fifa Best award winner told CBS.
“This means so much. Playing with these players, it’s something really special that I never had at any other club, so I’m so happy.”
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