Orlando made easy work of the league’s No. 2 team, Washington, which was shorthanded in Sunday’s nationally televised game.

What was already a tall task for the Spirit in this meeting of the league’s top teams grew tougher with 10 players unavailable because of injuries and a suspension. Washington adjusted well, but a couple of mistakes proved costly in a 2-0 win for Orlando, which clinched the NWSL Shield for the first time by securing the league’s best record.

Hey there! It's a season for new accomplishments and new beginnings in American soccer, with the Orlando Pride charting new ground in the NWSL and Mauricio Pochettino finally taking charge of the U.S.