Pride shut out Spirit to capture first NWSL championship

(Photo credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images)
Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute and the defense did the rest for the Orlando Pride, who defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 in the NWSL championship game Saturday night in Kansas City, Mo.

The Pride, who began this season on a 23-match unbeaten run and earned the top playoff seed, won their first league title in franchise history.

Banda, who had 13 goals in the regular seas