The 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season begins this Friday with the Challenge Cup, featuring a clash between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit, the top teams of 2024.
Orlando Pride enters the match after a historic 2024 season, where they secured their first trophies, winning both the NWSL Championship and the NWSL Shield. Washington Spirit, finishing second in both competitions last year, will look to start the new season strong by claiming the Challenge Cup.
Here’s a preview of what you need to know before you watch.
Game Details
- Date: Friday, March 7
- Location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
- Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
- Odds: Orlando Pride +130; Draw +230; Washington Spirit +200
About the NWSL Challenge Cup
In its current format, the NWSL Challenge Cup is a single game played between the previous season’s NWSL Championship and Shield winners. As Orlando Pride won both titles last year, this year’s Challenge Cup is a rematch of last season’s championship game, in which Washington Spirit participated.
The Challenge Cup was initially created in 2020 as a way to restart play during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, it was a pre-season tournament before evolving into an in-season cup competition in 2023. The current format, a one-off game, was introduced last year, with San Diego Wave defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Key Storylines
Orlando Pride
After a groundbreaking season that saw Orlando Pride rise from the bottom of the NWSL to champions, the main question is whether they can maintain their dominance. They retain a similar roster to their double-winning 2024 team, including defender of the year Emily Sams and MVP contenders Barbra Banda and Marta. Keep an eye on Banda, who scored 17 goals in her debut NWSL season. Marta will be aiming to make the most of the Pride’s success in what is likely to be one of her final seasons.
Washington Spirit
The 2021 NWSL champions surpassed expectations in 2024, building a potent attack with young talent and performing strongly despite coach Jonatan Giraldez joining mid-season. Their season will be exciting to watch in Giraldez’s first full year, though player availability could be a factor. Last year’s MVP nominee Trinity Rodman and rookie of the year Croix Bethune traveled to Florida for the Challenge Cup, but Rodman is out due to a knee injury, and Bethune’s participation is uncertain due to back issues.
Game Prediction
Anything can happen in a single game between two top teams, especially early in the season. However, if the Spirit are missing key players, Orlando Pride are likely to have the advantage. Prediction: Orlando Pride 1, Washington Spirit 0
