Orlando Pride's historic 2024 win: "Unbelievable", says Marta after undefeated season

Orlando Pride sealed the 2024 NWSL Shield in historic fashion and left a life mark on the league. Sealing the title with a 2-0 victory over Washington Spirit, this win goes way beyond the final whistle. With 57 points on the table and a similar number of victories at 17, the Pride joined two remarkable records in the NWSL, further showing not just how strong the team was but the resilience that took them through an unbeaten run of 23 games never seen before in the league.

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This Shield is only a surest sign that women's soccer has come of age, teams getting strong, mentally, tactically, and technically. And the queen of soccer, Marta, the legendary Pride forward, captured it all emotionally after the victory:

Wow. It means so much to us. Just like I said on the field right after the match, from the first day and each match, we have been working hard. And that moment, here in front of our fans, family, and friends-it's just unbelievable." 

Leading on the Field: Marta

Brazilian star Marta, with her rich history and charisma, is the heartbeat of the Pride. On the pitch, her numbers talk a lot. During the current 2024 season, she scored her eighth goal of the season and extended her record as club all-time leading scorer to 39 goals. She also won her 11th penalty, placing her third in the NWSL's all-time regular-season rankings. All this while showing the humility that doesn't quite match her greatness:

Its something that I, wow, I dreamt of, but honestly, I never really thought it would come out like this unbeaten, and I can tell you, I dont think that this is going to happen again, with this team or any other. Im so sorry; but this is so special, and the way we did it was incredible.

This is what defines a legendary season. Marta knows how rare and unique the Orlando Pride's achievement is. It's not just the Shield; it's the unbeaten journey that catapults the club to new, unprecedented heights in women's soccer.

A Record of Defensive Solidity

While Marta is considered the offensive soul, Anna Moorhouse is the wall in defense. The goalkeeper was brilliant throughout the season and did not leave any chance to break the record with 13 clean sheets. It is no wonder why Pride have such a big unbeaten streak. That rock-solid defense, led by Moorhouse, laid the bedrock for team dominance.

This powerful combination-an impenetrable defense with an efficient attack spearheaded by one of the best players in soccer history-proved unbeatable this season. And of course, sweetened at the end with the club's first-ever trophy.

Winning at Home: The Importance

It is always special for any club to win in front of their home crowd. But the case is that bit more emotional when one gets to lift the NWSL Shield in front of fans, friends, and family. That was pretty evident as Marta said, "We wanted to have this moment, especially here at home. It's unbelievable.".

The fans love that kind of success, having seen the team grow and fight its way to become unbeaten at the top of the league. It's this kind of story that really seals the bond between the club and their supporters.

The Future of Orlando Pride

With all due celebration, Marta and the Orlando Pride squad are under no illusion that this is far from over. It's the mentality of winners that took them to the top that they will try to keep. As Marta herself said.

"We need to keep it up and do it like this because no one's going to give us anything. So I think the most important thing is how we look ahead."

This is the statement of a team content neither with the present, nor with the past. The future indeed looks bright for Orlando Pride, yet they are aware that one needs to evolve all the time and to grow as a team to want more. Women's soccer is, after all, a sport in continuous development, and the bar goes higher every season.

Marta: An Icon of Women's Soccer

With an accomplished career, Marta still is a beacon in the sport-not just for her accomplishments on the field but also for her demeanor off of it. She certainly is one of the best ambassadors of the women's game, and what she and Orlando Pride pulled off this season further cements her position as an icon.

The shining queen of women's soccer shone bright but took an entire team into the history books. While she remains atop the charts with 39 goals for Pride, actually, the real value addition of Marta lies beyond numbers. That is, it's about leadership, passion, and commitment to the game that create the difference.

We have a really strong team here, mentally tough, and we work with each player. Women's soccer is improving every year. The level is so strong and you need to get better to succeed.

Marta's reflection symbolizes the path women's soccer is on. The historic achievement of Orlando Pride cements it not only as a powerhouse in the NWSL but also opens the door for future generations of players that will look at this team and this season for inspiration in the future years to come.