Inspiration drove Orlando Pride players to championship | OneFootball

Everyone on the Orlando Pride roster contributed something to their incredible win of the 2024 NWSL Championship. But goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse told The Guardian that the club’s inspiration focused on their striker Marta.

Their Brazilian star forward came to the Pride after she was named FIFA Women’s Football of the Year six times. She then spent seven seasons with the Pride playing like the champion she is. But the club won both the NWSL Shield and league championship just this year.

Always serving as the club’s strong tailwind this season was the players’ inspiration to see Marta lift the championship trophy with them. Also, their teammate midfielder Luana battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma this year. She missed many matches but played in the semi-final.

Moorhouse said keeping all this in perspective brought inspiration during the team’s greatest season that kept the players stress-free and focused on their success.

Mar 29, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Pride midfielder Luana Bertolucci Paixao (8) controls the ball against the Chicago Red Stars during the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The team and supporters enjoyed a great basket of firsts this season – all broken records. The post-season began with their first-ever playoff match at home. They went undefeated at home during the regular season 10-0, and enjoyed an overall record of 18-2-6.

They finished the regular season with a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Reign FC. There were goals by Ally Watt, Kerry Abello, and Marta with an assist on the first score by Summer Yates.

That was Marta’s ninth goal of the season, the 40th regular season score of her career, and the 20th game-winner for the Pride – the latter extending Marta’s club record.

That 46th goal for the Pride set a new club record for scores in a single season, also setting records for most wins in a single season, 18, and points in a single season, 60.

So Marta’s success was not just her own. It translated to success for the Orlando Pride through the inspiration she provided. The momentum set by this inspiration won’t stop now but will carry into next season.