Orlando Pride Lose to Spirit in Challenge Cup Shootout

The Orlando Pride faced the Washington Spirit in a highly anticipated rematch of last year's NWSL Championship during the 2025 Challenge Cup, ultimately losing 2-4 after a penalty shootout. The match, held at Inter&Co Stadium, saw the Pride initially leading 1-0 thanks to Rafaelle Souza's goal, but ended in a 1-1 tie at regular time, forcing penalties where the Spirit secured victory. This marks a continuation of the intense rivalry between the two teams, with Orlando having previously beaten Washington for the NWSL title in 2024. The Pride's strong lineup includes notable players like Marta and Barbra Banda, while the Spirit, featuring Trinity Rodman and new additions Narumi Miura and Rebeca Bernal, seek to build on their recent successes. Both teams remain top contenders in the league, with the Pride looking to defend their NWSL Shield title and the Spirit aiming for continued dominance.