Washington Spirit have won their first trophy of the year. Just over 100 days after losing the 2024 NWSL Championship to Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit got their revenge, winning the 2025 Challenge Cup 1(4) – 1(2) on penalties.

Still hampered by injuries, the Spirit relied on a number of newcomers and youngers players. Their form showed a team very much still in preseason, but some magic from Leicy Santos and the team’s focus and skill in penalties won them the day, despite some occasional chippiness throughout.

“We know the Spirit are a physical team,” Orlando’s Kylie Nadaner said after the match, “We kind of knew they were out for blood after the Championship last year. They’re a tough team.”

Orlando controlled play for most of the game, particularly in the first half. The Spirit, meanwhile, struggled with first touches and pass completion, while being frequently overwhelmed in midfield. Their best chance of the half was in the 17th minute, when Brittany Ratcliffe hit a long cross through traffic to Chloe Ricketts at the far post, but Ricketts’s shot was saved.

In the 36th minute, the Pride finally capitalized on their advantage after Ally Watt drew a foul just outside the box. Originally set for a penalty kick, the call was converted to a free kick after a five-minute VAR check. Marta’s shot hit the wall of Spirit players, but Rafaelle’s rebound kick sliced right through the slow-to-react defenders and into the goal.

The Spirit looked stronger in the second half, thanks in part to some adjustments that saw Casey Krueger playing higher up on the wing and more involved in the attack. They also found success after moving Leicy Santos wide where she was able to more easily move with the ball later in the half.

And it was Santos who would tie things up for Washington, scoring directly off of a free kick in the 72nd minute. Shooting from a few feet outside the box, she bent the ball in at the near post. Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse got both hands to the ball but could only push it upward without diverting it away from the goal.

Tied at the end of regulation, the game automatically went to a penalty shootout, seemingly Washington’s specialty after the show they put on against Gotham FC in last year’s semifinals. All four of Spirit’s kickers — Ashley Hatch, Rebeca Bernal, Narumi Miura, and Tara McKeown — successfully converted their kicks. Orlando’s first two kicks were good, but Summer Yates shot wide, and Aubrey Kingsbury stopped Ally Lemos’s attempt, winning the Spirit their first Challenge Cup and herself a well-deserved MVP award.

Three takeaways 

• Bienvenida Bernal. Washington’s newest signee, Rebeca Bernal, made her debut just days after joining the team for training. Playing as a defensive midfielder instead of her usual center back role, Bernal made an immediate impact on the game and helped the Spirit to gain some more control, in addition to making their second penalty kick in the shoot-out.
• Injuries still having an impact. The Spirit had 11 players on their injured list for this match, many of whom were starters last season. Though they achieved something they couldn’t last season, a win against Orlando, tonight’s overall performance shows that injuries continue to hold the team back from their peak.
• A chance for Chloe. One player who got an opportunity last night was 17-year-old Chloe Ricketts, starting the match after playing only 20 minutes last season. Post-match, coach Jonatan Giráldez praised her performance against Pride center back Emily Sams in particular and her improvements out of possession. Ricketts did nearly earn a card for a late tackle in the Pride’s goal area, but she also displayed her speed and good movement on the ball.

Box Score

NWSL Challenge Cup

Orlando Pride 1 (Rafaelle 41′)

Washington Spirit 1 (Santos 72′)

Lineups

Orlando Pride (442): Anna Moorhouse; Emily Sams, Rafaelle (Julie Doyle 46′), Kylie Nadaner, Kerry Abello; Morgan Gautrat (Ally Lemos 66′), Haley McCutcheon, Angelina, Marta (C); Ally Watt (Summer Yates 82′), Barbra Banda (Prisca Chalufya 82′)

Washington Spirit (433): Aubrey Kingsbury (C); Casey Krueger, Tara McKeown, Gabby Carle, Esme Morgan; Narumi Miura, Leicy Santos, Hal Hershfelt; Brittany Ratcliffe (Makenna Morris 61′), Ashley Hatch, Chloe Ricketts (Rebeca Bernal 61′)

Misconduct Summary

Orlando Pride:  none

Washington Spirit:  McKeown 34′, Miura 36′

Lead image courtesy of the Washington Spirit