NWSL CHAMPIONS! Pride to celebrate with parade in downtown Orlando

Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit 1-0 in NWSL championship game Saturday

Flags in Downtown Orlando for the Orlando Pride soccer team. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – After winning the NWSL championship, the city of Orlando announced it will hold a parade to celebrate the Pride on Monday afternoon, according to a news release.

The Pride became the first professional sports team to win a major league trophy in Orlando, beating the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday evening.

Orlando Pride forwards Marta, center, and Barbra Banda, right, lift the NWSL championship trophy together after defeating the Washington Spirit in an NWSL soccer game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

“To celebrate the championship and to honor the team’s players, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites the community to downtown Orlando for a parade and celebration,” the release read in part.

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Throughout the season, the @ORLPride inspired our city with their skill, passion and teamwork. Tonight they proved that they are the best team in @NWSL history. We’re incredibly proud of our champions and all they’ve accomplished together during this historic campaign,” Mayor Dyer wrote on social media.

News 6 reporter Jarell Baker caught Pride fans returning at the Orlando International airport Sunday afternoon.

“I’m so excited as I didn’t get any sleep last night. I’m running on adrenaline right now,” said Carlton Williams, a member of the Orlando Pride drumline.

Officials said the championship parade will head down Orange Avenue, starting at Central Boulevard at 4:30 p.m. and ending at Orlando City Hall.

The parade will include Orlando Pride players, special guests and the Walt Disney World’s Main Street Philharmonic, according to the release.

After the parade, a celebration ceremony is scheduled to take place outside of city hall from 5-5:45 p.m.

Team officials said the fans will also have the chance to see the NWSL Championship trophy for the first time.

Those attending the parade and celebration are encouraged to avoid traffic by utilizing SunRail via the Church Street or LYNX Central stations, riding LYNX or using a bike or scooter.


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About the Author
Jacob Langston headshot

Jacob joined ClickOrlando.com in 2022. He spent 19 years at the Orlando Sentinel, mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist, before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021.