NWSL season officially gets underway on Friday with the Challenge Cup, this year featuring 2024's best teams – the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit. The Pride return to play after a record-breaking 2024 season in which the team won their first-ever trophies,

The Washington Spirit got their revenge Friday night against the Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Florida, winning the 2025 Challenge Cup in penalty kicks. While it won’t erase the loss in the 2024 NWSL championship, Friday’s win was a solid start with a trophy to boot ahead of the start of the regular season.

In a rematch of the 2024 NWSL championship final, the Washington Spirit defeated the Pride 4-2 in penalties after the game ended 1-1 to claim this year's Challenge Cup at Inter&Co Stadium. Tara McKeown scored the game-winning penalty to secure Washington's first Challenge Cup trophy.

The Orlando Pride opened the 2025 campaign tonight with a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup at Inter&Co Stadium, falling 4-2 in penalties. Rafaelle gave the Pride the lead in the 41st minute, but Leicy Santos equalized with a great set piece in the 72nd minute.

Brazil icon Marta has warned the Orlando Pride to expect to be 'hunted' this season as they commence their attempt to defend both the NWSL Championship and Shield titles

Elsewhere on the Golazo Starting XI newsletter, Arsenal and Liverpool aim for easy weekends after Champions League tests