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Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda runs with the ball against the Seattle Reign during an NWSL soccer match, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Seattle. For the past several years, the Orlando Pride has been mostly mired in the bottom half of the National Women's Soccer League. But midway through this NWSL season, its seems the Pride have bucked that trend. With the addition of Zambian forward Barbra Banda and the ever-steady presence of Brazilian superstar Marta, the Pride are undefeated and hovering atop the league. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Banda and Marta are fueling Orlando Pride’s turnaround season

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

North Carolina's Kerolin Nicoli (9) handles the ball during an NWSL soccer match against Kansas City, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Cary, N.C. North Carolina Courage forward Kerolin was named the National Women’s Soccer League Most Valuable Player on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown, File)

North Carolina Courage forward Kerolin named the 2023 NWSL MVP

Associated Press

OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe, center, passes the ball as San Diego Wave defender Christen Westphal defends during the second half of an NWSL semifinal playoff soccer match Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

National Women’s Soccer League announces new media deal with CBS, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps’ ION

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

In this July 7, 2019 file photo, United States' Megan Rapinoe celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Morgan and Rapinoe selected for the US Women’s World Cup roster in title defense

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

FILE - Portland Thorns FC celebrates with the trophy after the won the NWSL championship soccer match against the Kansas City Current, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Washington. The owner of the Portland Thorns announced Thursday, Dec. 1, he is putting the club up for sale, the latest fallout from an investigation into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Inquiry finds widespread misconduct in women’s pro soccer

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

Portland Timbers team owner Merritt Paulson stands on the sidelines before the first half of an MLS soccer match against Orlando City, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. Merritt Paulson, also the owner of the Portland Thorns, announced Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, he is putting the club up for sale, the latest fallout from an investigation into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Thorns to be sold amid fallout from women’s soccer scandals

By Tim Booth - Associated Press

Washington Spirit players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Championship soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) **FILE**

Spirit wins NWSL title in extra time over Red Stars

Associated Press

Portland Thorns fans hold signs during the first half of the team's NWSL soccer match against the Houston Dash in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. Players stopped on the field in the first half of Wednesday night's National Women’s Soccer League games and linked arms in a circle to demonstrate solidarity with two former players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach. (AP Photo/Steve Dipaola) **FILE**

NWSL to work with players’ union on accountability demands

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC players cause a stoppage midway through the first half and gather in unity for U.S. women's team players, during an NWSL soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

NWSL players pause Spirit’s game, one other to recognize two who alleged misconduct

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

Washington Spirit players celebrate with Sam Staab after she scored a goal against the Portland Thorns during the second half of an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match at Zions Bank Stadium on Sunday, July 5, 2020, in Herriman, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Washington Spirit CEO, managing partner Steve Baldwin resigns amid scandal

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Former Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke, shown here in a screen capture from the July 2, 2021 episode of his eponymous YouTube program, has been placed on administrative leave amid reports he verbally abused players on the professional women's soccer team. (YouTube.com; Washington Spirit) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rch2KVI9SII]

Washington Spirit coach fired, team sanctioned by NWSL

By Anne M. Peterson - Associated Press

15-year-old sues for right to play in NWSL

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

NWSL, players’ association pursue first CBA

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2017, file photo, then-U.S. Olympic Committee chief marketing officer Lisa Baird speaks about the Team USA WinterFest for the upcoming 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, at Yongsan Garrison, a U.S. military base in Seoul, South Korea. U.S. Soccer is no longer managing the National Women's Soccer League although some aspects of the partnership remain, NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird said. Baird spoke Tuesday, Jan. 12,c2021, on a wide-ranging conference call with reporters ahead of the league's draft on Wednesday night.(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

US Soccer’s relationship with NWSL changing

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

CORRECTS UTAH ROYALS' BRITTANY RATCLIFFE TO HOUSTON DASH'S KATIE NAUGHTON - Chicago Red Stars' Savannah McCaskill (9) heads the ball in the direction of the goal as Houston Dash's Katie Naughton (25) defends during the first half of an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer finals match Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Upstart Dash win the Challenge Cup 2-0 over the Red Stars

Associated Press

Chicago Red Stars' Bianca St. George (29) celebrates with teammate Savannah McCaskill (9) after scoring against the Sky Blue during the first half of an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer semifinal match Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Red Stars play upstart Dash in Challenge Cup final

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

Utah Royals FC defender Elizabeth Ball, right, battles with Houston Dash forward Veronica Latsko for the ball during the first half of an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match at Zions Bank Stadium Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in Herriman, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Royals pull into 3-3 draw with Dash on late King goal

Associated Press

FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, United States defender Crystal Dunn, who plays for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League, plays during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Spain, in Harrison, N.J. The NWSL opens its Challenge Cup tournament on Saturday, June 27, 2020, and the pressure is on as the first professional team sport in the United States to play amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

NWSL takes field first as other pro leagues chart futures

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2020, file photo, Costa Rica forward Raquel Rodriguez, top, is knocked over by Canada defender Allysha Chapman during the first half of a CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying soccer match in Carson, Calif. Raquel Rodriguez, better known as Rocky to her fans, was in route to join her new National Women’s Soccer League team when sports were shut down by the coronavirus. It certainly wasn’t an ideal start for the Costa Rican striker with the Portland Thorns. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, Fle)

Rodriguez ready despite somewhat strange start with Thorns

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

NWSL player tests positive for COVID-19

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press