3 quick reactions from NWSL Challenge Cup – Equalizer Soccer

Mar 7, 2025; Orlando, Florida, US; Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos (10) waits for free kick in the second half against the Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium. Photo Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

The Washington Spirit took the first National Women’s Soccer League trophy of 2025, edging the Orlando Pride on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes in the NWSL Challenge Cup.  The rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship looked nothing like its forerunner.

Here are three thoughts from the first match of consequence in 2025.

Soccer can be cruel

Last November, the Pride found an early goal, and then absorbed pressure most of the rest of the way in a 1-0 win. Chaotic as it may have looked at times, they mostly kept the Spirit from any high-level chances, and coach Seb Hines said it was always measured and confident. This time, the Pride sat just off the Spirit back line and created a slew of midfield turnovers from which they created the bulk of the offense in the first half.

To the Spirit’s credit, they managed to steer things clear of Barbra Banda and her lightning-quick counters, but the Pride controlled the early action.

The Spirit made some adjustments after halftime and were smarter and more efficient in possession. For the most part, that stopped up the game and the physicality increased. The Spirit were able to grab some sustained possession and won a set piece that led to the equalizer.

If you watch the game back, and then watch back the NWSL Championship, you may think the Spirit were the better side in November and the Pride in the Challenge Cup. Sometimes that happens in soccer. And on this night, the Spirit were the beneficiaries.

“Football can be a cruel game,” Pride coach Seb Hines said.

Set pieces rule the day

The importance of set pieces can never be understated. Both goals Friday night were the result of them.

Orlando thought they had a penalty (more on that below) that turned into a direct free kick just outside the area. The Spirit blocked the initial shot but Rafaelle found herself in the right place at the right time and hit an even better strike to beat Aubrey Kingsbury and make it 1-0.

The Spirit equalized on their own set piece. Leicy Santos stood over it and blasted it into the upper 90. The shot was so strong that Anna Moorhouse was unable to make the save despite reading it well and making a strong effort to get her hands on it.

For as much talk as there is about shape, tactics and structure, so often in a tight soccer match, it is what happens on the dead balls that determines the outcome.

As for Orlando’s goalscorer, Rafaelle had not played for the Pride since July 6, the last match before the Summer Cup, due to a quad injury. Just this week, the Pride removed her from the Season Ending Injury list, and she got the start in central defense. Julie Doyle replaced her after halftime.

“We had [Rafaelle] for 45 minutes, so that was a win,” Hines said.

New season, same old VAR

Hope that the offseason would lead to a more streamlined VAR (Video Assistant Referee) have not come to fruition. At least if the first encounter of 2025 is a judge.

The play in question was originally called a penalty against the Washington Spirit when Narumi Muira cut down Ally Watt as she entered the box late in the first half. The short story is that one particular replay showed contact clearly started outside the box. Easy call. No penalty.

Here’s what happened though. Marta took the ball to the spot in preparation for the penalty and was seen chatting with referee Alexandra Billitier. All penalties are checked in the VAR room. Fair enough. After a few moments, Billitier instructed Marta to go ahead and place the ball for her penalty. But wait, there’s more!

No sooner did Marta put the ball down than Belleter did the dreaded hand-to-ear motion and shortly thereafter trotted over to the screen to take a look. Meanwhile, everyone watching on Prime already knew it was not a penalty. Ultimately, they got the call correct, which is the idea behind the operation. But the process brought back horrid memories of the last few seasons in NWSL.

In this case, the lengthy delay came after a clean first half that may not have had any stoppage time at all. After the VAR check, it went to 4 minutes. The foul was whistled at 35:52. Belletier waived it off at 39:36 and blew the whistle for the free kick at 40:37. That aligns with the Santos free kick, which was whistled into play about a minute after the call.

They got lucky there was no other stoppage time. No one wants a sport where second halves typically include double-digit stoppage time numbers with many of those add-ons increased by further VAR checks during that time.

It wasn’t all bad though. The right call was made not to stop the match when a ball was deflected off Prisca Chilufya in the box in the 88th minute. And it was a great call by AR1 Katarzyna Wasiak to throw the offside flag up when it looked like Kylie Nadaner (nee Strom) had won it for the Pride in the 90th minute. That would have been another lengthy review had Wasiak not made the call.

Yes, the foul called against Angelina on the play that led to the Spirit goal was probably the wrong call. But real-time mistakes happen, and that play was not subject to a VAR review.