Barbra Banda scores again to salvage draw for Orlando Pride

Zambia national women’s team striker Barbra Banda continued with her scoring form since returning from injury with another goal to help Orlando Pride secure a 1-1 draw against Denver Summit FC at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday.

The Copper Queens captain had announced her return to action from a lengthy injury lay-off with a goal for Orlando Pride last Sunday. Again, on Friday, Banda was the hero notching in the 61st minute to salvage a draw.

 

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Jacquie Ovalle had initially put the Pride ahead in the 12th minute, but the goal was ruled offside in the build-up. German forward Melissa Kössler then opened the scoring for the 2026 expansion side in the 24th minute after being played through on goal by Ayo Oke.

Barbra Banda scored to salvage draw

Orlando nearly levelled the match on two separate occasions with shots from outside of the box. First, Summer Yates hit the crossbar in the 32nd minute before Ovalle’s long-range effort in the 42nd minute forced a diving save from Denver’s Abby Smith, who made a career-high 10 saves on the night.

The Pride finally found an equaliser in the 61st minute through Banda, who was celebrating her 26th birthday on the night. Ovalle was involved once more, fielding a cross from the right wing that Banda headed in for her second goal in as many games this season.

The goal also marked Ovalle’s first assist of the year and her third while donning the Pride kit.

 

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Banda scored her second goal of the season and her 23rd regular-season goal for the Pride, which is tied for the second-most regular-season goals in Club history. She also became the 13th player in NWSL history and the first Pride player to score on her birthday.

Banda had scored 16 goals before injury

A fit-again skipper is also what Zambia needs ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled from July 15 to August 16, 2026.

The one-time FIFA Best Women’s Footballer of the Year nominee was out of action for eight months. Banda had picked the injury during a draw against Malawian Temwa Chawinga-led Kansas City on August 16, 2025.

The Zambian had scored eight goals in 16 appearances for Pride before she picked the injury.

Banda and Pride will next face a two-game road trip, first traveling to Martin Stadium on Wednesday, to take on Chicago Stars FC, before facing defending NWSL champions Gotham FC on Sunday.