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NWSL Challenge Cup 2025GOAL
Celia BalfMar 6, 2025WOMEN'S FOOTBALLNWSLWashington SpiritOrlando Pride

NWSL Challenge Cup: Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit kick off 2025 campaign with Championship rematch

What's at stake for Orlando and Washington as they meet for the 2025 Challenge Cup? INDIVISA takes a look

Last year's NWSL playoffs exceeded all expectations. After a wild semifinal matchup in which the Washington Spirit pulled away from Gotham FC in penalty kicks, and the Orlando Pride exploded over playoff-hosts Kansas City Current, two of the best teams were destined to meet for the championship.

The Pride were also NWSL Shield winners, while the Spirit were flying high after an historic season, winning 19 games, the most for the D.C. club. On a freezing Kansas City night, the Pride defeated the Spirit 1-0 to earn their first NWSL championship. On Friday, the two teams will meet again.

While both have had some shake-ups in the offseason, many of the brightest stars still remain. For the Pride, Marta is back, and ready for more. As is the scoring powerhouse Barbra Banda. Defensively, the Pride are still well equipped to shut down most teams with the work of Emily Sams and Kylie Nadener, and of course goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.

The Spirit are also in top form, and are ready for vengeance. Trinity Rodman is one to watch, as is Croix Bethune, who is looking to make her return after recovering from a mid-season knee injury. Bethune earned Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year honors in 2024.

Also back, is scoring sensation Ashley Hatch and midfielder Hal Hershfelt. The Spirit rookie class was lights out, from Bethune and Hershfelt to Makenna Morris and Kate Wiesner, as well asCourtney Brown and Heather Stainbrook. INDIVISA looks at the storylines to follow, players to watch, and what is on the line at Challenge Cup.

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    Key storylines to follow

    There are numerous stories to follow with this marquee matchup. For starters, will Orlando show up in top form and earn another major win over Washington? Will Washington seek revenge, and catch the Pride on their heels?

    There's also a question mark when it comes to what the starting lineups will look like for each side. Will the Pride roll out the big dogs and start Marta, Barbra, Adriana and others? Or has the squad taken a new form during the offseason? For the Spirit, there are a couple question marks across the roster. While Bethune is close to her return, there hasn't been any word as to if that means she'll play on Friday.

    It's also been quiet from Hershfelt, who was left off the SheBelieves Cup roster after earning her first USWNT cap last year. McKeown will likely hold down the backline for the Spirit, which doesn't give her much breathing room from her debut for the USWNT against Colombia and earning another start against Japan to wrap up the tournament.

    Fans will definitely be hoping Rodman will be in full strength, as the 2024 season ended with some bumps and knocks, specifically to her back. And of course, she didn't play in the recent USWNT matches.

    If there's one thing we can expect, it's familiar faces - but also some new ones. On the Spirit side, the defensive depth is growing. Defender Kysha Sylla joined the Spirit on loan from France’s Olympique Lyon. Shadia Nankya, a defender, joined the Spirit in a transfer from Egypt’s FC Masar. And recently, defender Rebeca Bernal signed a three-year deal in a transfer from Mexico’s C.F. Monterrey.

    For the Pride, there's also been several additions. World Cup winner and defender Oihane Hernández transferred from Real Madrid Femenino to the Pride. Midfielder Aryssa Mahrt and goalkeeper DeAira Jackson are two players out of college recently signed short-term contracts with the Pride. And Banda can add another Zambian teammate to her side, as the Pride recently acquired forward Prisca Chilufya from FC Juarez in Liga MX Feminil.

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    Players to watch

    WASHINGTON SPIRIT

    Trinity Rodman: 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Rodman scored eight goals and chipped in six assists in the 2024 season. Each season her game improves, so come the Challenge Cup, if healthy, expect to see some entertainment out of Rodman.

    Tara McKeown: She earned her first USWNT senior team call-up for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, and not only played, but started two of the three U.S. matches. McKeown is one of the most solid center backs in the league. She's strong, keeps possession, and was essential to the Spirit's success last season.

    Leicy Santos: When she joined the Spirit last season, the club added another shifty player that is creative and effective in the final third. She has great chemistry with almost everyone who plays alongside her, so she will definitely be the needle that sews the Spirit together.

    Makenna Morris: She was one of the most underrated rookie players in 2024. After playing primarily defense in college, she became an overnight weapon for the Spirit up top. Her one-vs-one ability is impossible to stop, and she also has a textbook service. Expect Morris to play in some dangerous balls into the final third.

    Ashley Hatch: She is a natural goalscorer who contributed seven goals and three assists for the Spirit in 2024. She has the ability to get in tight spaces, get out, and score, so expect her to show up against the Pride.

    Esme Morgan: England's finest, Morgan is key to the Spirit's backline. She has an 87 percent passing accuracy, and connects one-twos and balls out of pressure in her sleep.

    Hal Hershfelt: She was a natural in the midfield for the Spirit in her rookie season. Hershfelt is commanding, wins most of her aerial battles, and also can score. In her first season as a pro, she scored three goals, and one of them we have mention came in the semifinals when she finished with her head scoring off of a perfectly lofted service from teammate Morris.

    ORLANDO PRIDE

    Marta: Need we say more? In 2024, the stars aligned for Marta, who won her first NWSL Shield and championship. She scored 11 goals in 26 games. As she's said "I'm not done yet" ... so expect Marta to do what she does best: Create, attack, and demand the Spirit step up.

    Kylie Nadaner: Center back of all center backs, she was the calming presence that was essential to the Pride's historic defensive performance. Composed and disciplined, she was a leader for the Pride in 2024, and will likely be the other center back anchoring the Pride's backline.

    Emily Sams: Defender of the Year, she had one of her best seasons yet in the league. She had an 89 percent passing accuracy, and while connecting almost every touch, she also was a lockdown defensively. Between her and Nadaner, far and few were able to break through the Pride's backline.

    Barbra Banda: She made an absolute splash in her first season. Banda scored 17 goals in 25 games played, plus added seven assists. Her pace was a handful, and any time she had the ball at her feet it was go-time.

    Carson Pickett: She is key to the Pride's backline. She not only shifts and defends like a pro, but also has a natural instinct to go forward and create along the wing. She'll be an impact player this season, whether that's combining on the wing, serving balls in, or tackling some of the best attackers in the league.

    Ally Watt: Watt is another forward for the Pride with pace, creativity, and a nose for goal. In 2024 she wasn't a leading scorer for the Pride, but it's written in her goals for this upcoming season. Expect Watt to dominate the wing, track back defensively for every loose ball, and score more this season.

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    What's on the line?

    This game is the tone setter of the season, for both teams. For Orlando, they are hungry for another season such as they experienced in 2024. For the Spirit, they have unfinished business. The Challenge Cup is a great teaser for the regular season, which starts next weekend.