The GIST: As you read, the No. 1 seed Orlando Pride won their first-ever NWSL Championship on Saturday, topping the No. 2 seed Washington Spirit 1–0 in the final — a perfect ending to their near-perfect season.

Pride striker Barbra Banda scores lone goal, wins championship MVP: Banda added to her already impressive postseason tally, notching her fourth playoff goal in her debut NWSL season. The victory makes Orlando the first franchise since 2019 to win the league’s Shield (best regular-season record) and championship in the same campaign. Dominance.

• Though the Pride walked away with the trophy, the Spirit still turned in a valiant effort in this physical game — the young squad controlled the match and took 26 shots (!!!) to Orlando’s nine, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

NWSL meets the moment: Adding an exclamation point to an extremely successful NWSL season, Saturday’s title game sold out CPKC Stadium (the first sports arena built specifically for women). From record-setting attendance to soaring viewership to the league’s mid-season player-first CBA changes, the future of women’s soccer is oh-so bright.

• Speaking of, NWSL expansion is on the horizon amid this rapid growth: BOS Nation FC will make its debut in the 2026 season, alongside the league’s 16th team from either Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Denver. Truly squad goals.

The GIST: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas wins a World Drivers’ Championship (WDC)...if you’re Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, that is. Here’s how he clinched the title this weekend.

Verstappen wins fourth straight WDC: While the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Sir Lewis Hamilton finished first and second, respectively (even with Hamilton starting in 10th), the Dutchman drove to a fifth-place finish in Vegas, one spot ahead of his title rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris.

• That was more than enough for Verstappen to join the small but mighty group of drivers who’ve won at least four individual titles.
• After last year’s absolute domination, Verstappen started the 2024 campaign in similar fashion, winning seven of the first 10 races to take what turned out to be an insurmountable lead en route to claiming this year’s title. Driving and thriving.

World Constructor’s Championship still up for grabs with two races left: This is the first season in F1 history where seven different drivers have won multiple races, making it no surprise that the quest for the team title will come down to the wire.

• McLaren leads a surging Ferrari squad by only 24 points, with third-place Red Bull also in the mix ahead of next weekend’s race in Qatar. Buckle up.

The thick of the holiday season is just around the corner, but women’s sports season never goes out of style — which is why we’re back with Ally’s Sports Spotlight to help you plan your viewing schedule around second helpings of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

• 🎓🏐 College volleyball: No. 1 Pitt Panthers vs. No. 3 Louisville Cardinals, Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET (ACCN): These aren’t just two of the sport’s most elite squads — they also happen to be massive rivals, duking it out for ACC dominance and an automatic bid to the national championship. Got some syrup for those pancakes?
• 🎓🏀 College basketball: No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. No. 8 Iowa State Cyclones, Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET (FOX): A Turkey Day tussle between the reigning national champs and last year’s March Madness Cinderella story? Delicious.
• 🏒 PWHL: Boston Fleet vs. Toronto Sceptres, Saturday at 2 p.m. ET (viewing info here): The groundbreaking league drops the puck on its sophomore season with Toronto’s home opener from their upgraded digs, the Coca-Cola Coliseum. The vibes are guaranteed to be through the roof.

Ally’s kept you in the loop on the biggest events in women’s sports with their Sports Spotlights, just like they’re working overtime to help you meet your financial goals. Check out how they’re changing the game for women athletes and learn more about how you can help too. Hint: Step one is tuning in and cheering ’em on.

Nazem Kadri, whose inspirational memoir Dreamer details how he overcame harassment to become the first Muslim Stanley Cup winner, and the impossible dreams he has made a reality. And thanks to Penguin Random House, you could score a free copy of Dreamer today.*

This Globe and Mail investigation about the ongoing culture problems that plagued the CanWNT long before the drone scandal at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Beyoncé bringing her “Cowboy Carter” era to the NFL Christmas Day halftime show, streaming live on Netflix. Holiday vibes and Queen Bey? A true sleigh.

*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Turn the page.