The Pride got their winning goal from a penalty via legend Marta and an own goal by the Spirit made it 2-0. The Brazilian international has been with the club since 2017 -- the last time they also made the playoffs -- and the title is her first ever while playing in NWSL.

What was already a tall task for the Spirit in this meeting of the league’s top teams grew tougher with 10 players unavailable because of injuries and a suspension. Washington adjusted well, but a couple of mistakes proved costly in a 2-0 win for Orlando, which clinched the NWSL Shield for the first time by securing the league’s best record.

Orlando made easy work of the league’s No. 2 team, Washington, which was shorthanded in Sunday’s nationally televised game.