The Washington Spirit booked themselves some sweet revenge on Friday, lifting the 2025 Challenge Cup after taking down 2024 NWSL Championship foes Orlando in a penalty shootout.
The Pride were hunting an exclusive claim to all NWSL hardware entering the match, hoping to kick off the 2025 season holding the league's Shield, Championship trophy, and Challenge Cup.
Instead, the Spirit snagged some early-season momentum, buoyed by yet another penalty save by Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.
"We’re looking to write a new story — we were upset about how last year ended, but this is about this team, this year, and this is a great first step," Kingsbury said after the game.
Penalty kicks fuel injury-hampered Spirit to Challenge Cup title
Washington's win came in the wake of mounting early-season injuries, though Spirit star forward Trinity Rodman did enter as a second-half sub — despite her lingering back issue.
Pride defender Rafaelle opened scoring late in the first half, slotting a second-chance ball into the side netting through a flood of Spirit defenders to put Orlando on the board.
Washington equalized in the 72nd minute, as Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos made NWSL history by launching the second-ever direct free kick goal in any final.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation. According to the contest's rules, there are no overtime periods in the Challenge Cup, forcing the Pride and Spirit to decide the result from the penalty spot.
The game-deciding shootout saw Washington outpace Orlando 4-2, allowing the Spirit to avenge their 2024 championship loss by immediately earning a 2025 trophy.
Notably, the Spirit are enjoying a unique penalty kick run, tallying their third shootout win in a knockout game — more than any other club in NWSL history.
While the regular season doesn’t officially start until Friday, the NWSL’s top two clubs hit the ground running — with Washington already proving just how quickly the tide can turn in the world’s most competitive league.
The Washington Spirit are building out their 2025 roster with an international slant, signing Mexico and CF Monterrey captain Rebeca Bernal to a three-year deal on Tuesday.
Across her eight seasons with the top-flight Liga MX Femenil squad, Bernal has helped CF Monterrey to four titles and scored an impressive 65 goals as a defender.
"Rebeca is an exceptional talent in both the defending and attacking phases of the game," said Spirit GM and president of soccer operations Mark Krikorian in a team statement. "We expect her dynamic style of play to provide an immediate impact as we kick off this season with high expectations."
Spirit stacks roster with international stars
With Tuesday's signing, Bernal joins eight other players now occupying the Spirit’s allotted international slots. Fellow global newcomers to Washington's roster include Japan midfielder Narumi Miura, Nigeria midfielder Deborah Abiodun, Brazil forward Tamara Bolt, and Uganda defender Shadia Nankya.
Last season, the 2024 NWSL Championship runners-up saw success by relying on a mix of USWNT stars like Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune and key global talent like Colombia midfielder Leicy Santos, and forwards Rosemonde Kouassi and Ouleye Sarr, who hail from the Côte d'Ivoire and France, respectively.
Washington also looked abroad to fill their head coaching vacancy, with Spanish leader Jonatan Giráldez joining the Spirit midseason. Giráldez finished his decorated run with FC Barcelona by completing an elusive Quadruple — winning the UEFA Women's Champions League, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa, and Liga F in his final 2023/24 season.
Washington's global strategy begins at the top
Setting the tone for the increasingly international club is Spirit owner Michele Kang, who has similarly expanded her soccer portfolio beyond US borders by purchasing controlling interests in France's Olympique Lyonnais and second-tier UK team London City in recent years.
Kang has further banked on growing the global game by launching Kynisca Sports last July, creating the first international multi-team women's football organization of its kind.
All in all, with the elimination of the NWSL draft as well as soccer's rising parity around the world, domestic teams are pulling from a wider player pool. Following last season’s finish, the Washington Spirit appear to be betting on a modern, global philosophy to push them atop the NWSL in 2025.