The celebration isn’t yet over for the Orlando Pride winning their first NWSL Championship.
Orlando Pride forwards Marta and Barbra Banda won places on the FIFPRO Women’s World 11. This is Marta’s third time earning the honor with previous selections in 2019 and 2021. Banda has won the honor during her debut season in NWSL.
The selections are determined by 7,000 footballers worldwide.
At the close of the NWSL season, Marta was nominated for both Midfielder of the Year and Most Valuable Player. During the year she helped her Argentine team earn a Silver Medal in the Olympics.
Then during the Pride’s hunt for their first NWSL Championship, she contributed nine goals and an assist. In the postseason, she netted another two goals. She served as team captain throughout the 2024 campaign.
Also playing in the Olympics was Pride striker Barbra Banda. She made history as the first player in women’s football scoring three Olympic hat tricks. She scored four goals for Zambia at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
With the Pride in 2024, she finished second in the Golden Boot race, tying the league’s single-season record for braces with four, scoring 13 goals and six assists. In the post-season, she scored in every round, including the game-winner that earned the Orlando Pride their first NWSL Championship and won Banda the Championship MVP title.
In that final match, Banda cut a brilliant path through defenders after snagging a through ball from midfielder Angelina. She got a low, left-footed shot past Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.
It was the only score in that final match. Angelina earned the first NWSL final match assist by an international player.
Banda and Marta were key to securing the Pride their first NWSL Shield and the Championship. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse especially credited inspiration from Marta in their success throughout the regular season and postseason.
The inspiration continues through the NWSL post-season for the Orlando Pride. So do the awards.