Barbra Banda praised by Orlando Pride coach after notching to down Bay FC

Barbra Banda (right) – Photo Credit: Orlando Pride.

Orlando Pride head coach Seb Hines has praised the positioning of Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda that led to their lone goal in the1-0 National Women’s Soccer League victory against Bay FC at PayPal Park on Saturday.

Banda, who was coming into the starting XI after being dropped to the bench in the previous dramatic 1-0 win over Houston Dash at Inter & Co Stadium, scored the all-important goal in the 53rd minute, to help Orlando Pride win every match of the series between the two sides posting a perfect 3-0-0 record.

Speaking after the game, coach Hines singled out how Banda reacted to get onto the ball, and score from a quickly taken free-kick. The goal by Banda handed Pride the much needed victory, and she in the process scored her eighth goal of the season. Banda has now scored in both her trips to PayPal Park.

“I thought in the first half we played some really good football without threatening their goal. Bay made it difficult for us to find any sort of success in that attacking third,” said Hines.

“Second half, it was a quick free kick, and Barbra [Banda] does really well to get a shot off. We were 1-0 up and we showed our character towards the end, throwing our bodies on the line and making sure that we don’t concede.

“When we take the lead in games we become very difficult to play against. I was really proud of the players and their effort and their commitment and everything they put into it to get the three points.”

The Zambian international now has four goals in her last two road matches and secured her ninth career game winning goal for Orlando which is the second-most in the NWSL since the start of the 2024 season.

Carson Pickett earned the assist on the Banda finish, her second of the season. Pickett and Banda also combined for the game winning goal in the Pride’s last trip to PayPal Park.

Banda has now recorded 11 goals away from home, which is tied for second-most away goals in the NWSL since she entered the league last season.