Washington Spirit 2024IMGAN
Celia Balf

NWSL Championship: A case for how USWNT star Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit can beat the Orlando Pride

With everything on the line, here's ow the Spirit can top the Pride for the 2024 NWSL Championship

The Washington Spirit have yet to beat the Orlando Pride this season, however, they have won an NWSL Championship before. When it comes to playoffs, and championship games, anything can happen. The Spirit's experience in this environment could prove to help them against a rapid Pride team.

All season, the Spirit have been hard to touch. Between all-star rookie power Hal Hershfelt, Mackenna Morris and Rookie of the Year, Croix Bethune, the team was a perfect blend of young talented players, and legendary leaders - including USWNT standout Trinity Rodman.

The Spirit finished the season in second place, with an overall record of 18-6-2. While their season hasn't been as record-breaking, they have been peaking when it matters.

NDIVISA looks at how the Spirit can get the better of the Orlando Pride.

  • Reason No. 1: Rookie power

    Sure, Croix Bethune won't be playing in the NWSL Championship due to injury, but there are a handful of other rookies that will be. Even though Trinity Rodman and Leicy Santos aren't really rookies, they are still young and add a lot of youthful firepower to the squad.

    But, truthfully, what sets this Spirit team apart from the rest in the league is their rookie class. From Hershfelt to Morris to Courtney Brown, the team is bolstered in young star power. Morris has been an absolute terror on the flank, defending fearlessly and perfecting the inward swinging ball into the box. While the Pride will have the midfield on lock, the fight in the rookies, mixed with the organization and "we've been here before" mentality balances out the squad.

    If the Spirit utilize Morris' service and can find Hershfelt in the box, along with Rodman's constant presence, chances continue to go up for the Spirit vs. Orlando.

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    Reason No. 2: Set piece magic

    The Spirit are very good at set pieces. Whether it's the pristine service from players such as Morris, or just the ability to be a dog in the box, like Hershfelt, the Spirit have set piece chances on lock.

    When its a close game, and a Championship game at that, set pieces and free kicks can make all of the difference. The Spirit are absolutely ruthless in the box, both attacking wise and defensively. While the Orlando Pride are difficult to breakdown defensively, just the pure grit, recycled runs, and dog-mentality will be hard to mess with on Saturday.

    If Hershfelt can break free and make contact with the ball like she did in the semifinals, the Spirit will have a good day at CPKC Stadium.

  • Washington Spirit vs Gotham FCImagn

    Reason No. 3: Experience

    The Spirit have been in an NWSL Championship before. They have also won one. In 2021, the Spirit won the club's first league title. One thing that the Spirit also have is experience. From Ashley Hatch up top, to Casey Krueger in the back, the team is deep with veteran players. While the rookies are all the rage, the depth of the team is unmatched.

    Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury saved three penalties in the semifinals, which showed everyone watching just how tough this team will be to beat. Even when the season took some difficult turns, like Bethune going down with an injury, new faces stepped up. When the Championship game kicks off, the experience and the depth in the Spirit will carry them.