NWSL

Nov 23 (Reuters) - The Orlando Pride held off the Washington Spirit 1-0 to claim their first NWSL Championship title in Kansas City on Saturday, as Zambian striker Barbra Banda added one more lethal performance to a blockbuster year.

Banda, who had the second-most goals in the regular season with 16, slipped one past two-time NWSL goalkeeper of the year Aubrey Kingsbury in the 37th minute and a stout Orlando defence extinguished Washington's chances.

PURE BANDA-MONIUM!!!

Brazil legend, Marta, scored one of the best goals of the weekend as she sealed Orlando Pride’s ticket to the NWSL final on Sunday.

Marta amazing goal vs. KC Current

The 38-year-old picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch, sped through the defense, left two players in the dust and fooled the goalkeeper to score Orlando’s third and final goal in their 3-1 victory over KC Current. It’s just what legends do.

Marta really just sat down the entire defense.

Aubrey Kingsbury saved all three shots she faced in the penalty-kick shootout as the Washington Spirit defeated visiting NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday afternoon to advance to the NWSL championship game.

Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano and Tara McKeown scored shootout goals for Washington in the marathon semifinal match after the teams played to a 1-1 tie through 120 minutes plus stoppage time.

Former U.S. women’s national team forward, Sydney Leroux, scored what is undoubtedly a strong contender for best goal of the NWSL season. 

Sydney Leroux goal vs. Angel City FC

In the 56th minute and with Angel City FC trailing 1-0 against Utah Royals FC at home on Sunday, a series of rebounds at the edge of the 18-yard box, received by Leroux with her back turned on goal, ended in what of the most aesthetically-pleasing finishes you’ll see this year.

The Houston Dash signed 17-year-old midfielder Zoe Matthews on Friday, making her the youngest player in franchise history.

The 6-foot-2 Texas native is signed through the 2026 NWSL season and could make her debut on the road Sunday against the San Diego Wave.

Zoe Matthews Houston Dash

Youngest player in Dash history

Welcome to H-Town, @zoe_ZM5!

United States women’s national team legend and icon Kelley O’Hara had a bittersweet conclusion to her career as injuries ended her final season early.

She had planned to retire after the 2024 NWSL season, but was forced to hang up her boots in September.

Her club, Gotham FC, announced she was on the season-ending injury list meaning the Bats’ 2-1 victory vs. Houston Dash on Sept. 8 was her O'Hara's final appearance.

Canada's Christine Sinclair, the world's top international goal scorer among both women and men, said on Friday she will retire from professional soccer at the end of the 2024 NWSL season in November.

Sinclair, whose 190 international goals is the most among both men and women, retired from the Canadian team last December. She is currently in her 12th season with the NWSL's Portland Thorns, who wrap up their regular season on Nov. 1 and are currently sitting in a playoff spot.

Christine Sinclair retires

United States women's national team forward Trinity Rodman exited the field area in a wheelchair during the Washington Spirit's 3-0 loss to the Kansas City Current on Friday, which her agent attributed to an "intense back spasm."

That's what Mike Senkowski told The Washington Post Saturday about Rodman, adding her back remained bothersome the morning after.

Trinity Rodman injury

Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman led the Washington Spirit over the visiting Houston Dash 3-0 on Sunday.

The Spirit (14-4-2, 44 points) had no problems defeating Houston (3-12-5, 14 points) even without leading goal scorer Ouleymata Sarr. Instead, Hatch scored twice and Rodman had a goal and an assist to extend Washington's league unbeaten streak to five matches.

Trinity Rodman goal vs Houston Dash