Pride, Spirit Clash in NWSL Challenge Cup Rematch

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Pride will host the Washington Spirit this Friday, March 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET in the much-anticipated 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. This rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship comes just a week before the regular season kicks off, setting the stage for an intense showdown between the defending champions and last year’s runners-up.

The Challenge Cup has evolved into a pivotal moment for both teams, allowing them to not only compete for a trophy but also to gauge their readiness for the regular season. “We’re excited and looking forward to putting on a show in front of everyone, especially our fans, who have been waiting to see us since the championship game,” said Orlando head coach Seb Hines.

For both teams, the stakes are high. The Pride are coming off a record-setting campaign, while the Spirit are eager to avenge their Championship loss. “Every time we play against Orlando, it adds an extra chip on our shoulder,” said Makenna Morris of the Spirit. “We always want to walk away with some hardware.”

In terms of team composition, the Pride have maintained a strong roster, retaining key figures like Barbra Banda and Marta, who contributed significantly to their success last season, scoring a total of 28 goals between them. Head coach Seb Hines emphasized the importance of living up to the expectations set by last year’s achievements.

Conversely, the Spirit will be without several key players due to injuries, including Croix Bethune and Ouleye Sarr, while Trinity Rodman is expected to have limited minutes as she recovers from a back issue. “We have to approach this game as if we’re playing a final,” stated Spirit head coach Jonatan Giraldez, underlining the serious intent of his side despite the roster challenges.

Pride players like Marta and Banda are not only looking to propel their team to victory but also to set the tone for the season ahead. “It’s exciting to know that everybody is looking at us, trying to make it difficult for us,” said Marta. “Repeating what we did last year is a challenge, but one we need to embrace.”

As the teams prepare for battle at Inter&Co Stadium, fans can catch the action streaming live on Prime Video. The match promises to be a thrilling competition as both sides look to lay down their intentions for the new season.