NWSL Championship Game – Saturday, November 23, 2024
The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit face off in the 2024 NWSL Championship game this Saturday at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. This highly anticipated match will determine the league’s champion and cap off an exciting season of women’s soccer.
Orlando Pride’s Historic Season
The Orlando Pride enter the final as the top seed after a historic 2024 season. The team, which only made the playoffs once in its prior seven seasons, went on an impressive 23-game unbeaten run before suffering their first loss in the 24th match of a 26-game regular season. Striker Barbra Banda, a nominee for MVP, led the way with 16 goals, while legendary playmaker Marta contributed nine goals, producing arguably her best NWSL season. Head coach Seb Hines was named NWSL Coach of the Year earlier this week, as the Pride only conceded 20 goals in league play.
Washington Spirit’s Resilient Journey
The Washington Spirit’s path to the final has been less straightforward. Head coach Jonatan Giráldez, signed from Barcelona during the winter, was unavailable to take charge until June, with his assistant Adrián González leading the team for 15 games.
U.S. women’s national team star Trinity Rodman has been crucial for the Spirit, especially as they dealt with season-ending injuries to key players like 2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune and defensive midfielder Andi Sullivan.
Washington’s playoff wins required extremely late equalizers, and goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury saved three penalties to get the Spirit to this stage over the defending champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Head-to-Head Matchups
The Pride won both regular-season meetings against the Spirit, handing Washington one of its two home losses in an April 3-2 battle before clinching the NWSL Shield with a 2-0 win in Florida on October 6. This sets the stage for a thrilling rematch in the championship game.
Venue and Broadcast Information
The NWSL Championship game will take place at CPKC Stadium, the first privately funded stadium built specifically for a professional women’s soccer team. The 11,500-seat venue has been sold out for all home matches this season, creating an electric atmosphere for the final.
The game will start shortly after 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local time) and will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Fans can also stream the game on Paramount+ and Fubo3.
A Celebration of Women’s Soccer
This championship game is not just a battle for the title, but also a celebration of the growth and success of women’s soccer. Both teams have shown remarkable resilience and skill throughout the season, and their journey to the final highlights the increasing competitiveness and popularity of the NWSL.
As the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit prepare to clash for the ultimate prize, fans worldwide eagerly await what promises to be an unforgettable match. Whether you are cheering for the Pride or the Spirit, this championship game is a testament to the passion and dedication of women’s soccer players and their supporters.
