KANSAS CITY, M.O. (July 6, 2024) – The Orlando Pride (11-0-5, 38 points) earned its 16th-straight result on Saturday night, defeating the Kansas City Current (10-1-5, 35 points) by a 2-1 scoreline in the most anticipated match of 2024 thus far. The two teams both entered the night undefeated on the season with identical records, but it was the Pride who walked away with all three points after goals from Barbra Banda and Marta.
The Pride jumped out to a lead first, as Banda scored her 12th goal in as many appearances to stay tied for the most goals scored in the NWSL. The 12th goal is also one shy of tying the Pride’s all-time single season scoring record, a record held by Marta.
Marta recorded her fifth goal of the season, converting from the penalty spot in the second half. It was the 10th penalty kick of her Pride career, as she became just the fifth player in the league to score double digit goals from the penalty spot with a single team.
The Pride were forced down to 10 players after defender Carrie Lawrence was shown her second yellow card in the 42nd minute, but the defense was able to hold the home side scoreless from that moment on, backed by seven saves from Anna Moorhouse, which ties her season high. The Pride have now earned seven points (2-0-1) on the year when playing down a player.
Orlando will now head into the Olympic break, with its next matches as part of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.
Scoring Summary
37’ Barbra Banda – ORL 1, KC 0
The Pride opened the scoring on the night after Adriana attempted to play a through ball behind the Current defense. The ball was deflected off a Current defender and fell to Barbra Banda in open space who made no mistake sliding the ball past the Current goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
39’ Temwa Chawinga (Izzy Rodriguez) – ORL 1, KC 1
The home side quickly answered after Izzy Rodriguez passed a ball up to Temwa Chawinga, who turned her defender and ran towards the night. Chawinga was able to get free of a couple Pride defenders and get a shot off that just got past Anna Moorhouse.
63’ Marta (Penalty Kick) - ORL 2, KC 1
The Pride regained the lead playing a player down after Current’s goalkeeper AD Franch fouled Adriana in the box. Marta stepped up to the penalty spot and sent the ball right down the middle of the net for the lead.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“More than deserved. To go down to 10 players so early on in the game and show the character that we have been talking about all season long is just incredible. To come to this environment, we knew that it was going to be a tough game. We had the same amount of points, same amount of wins, same amount of ties and there was nothing between us in this game. Then, I think we showed our class on the day, our character and personality. Everyone contributed to this win today and it is so good to head into this break with a valued three points.”
Match Notes:
- The Pride’s victory extends the team’s unbeaten run to 16 games to start the 2024 season, tying Seattle for the longest single-season unbeaten streak. The Pride are, overall, undefeated in their last 17 dating back to the final match of the 2023 season, which ties a Kansas City record that was ended with Saturday’s Pride win.
- The match marked the first home loss for Kansas City this year, and their first since Oct 7, 2023, ending the Current’s 17-game unbeaten run dating back to last year.
- Barbra Banda scored her 12th goal of the season and still remains tied atop the Golden Boot race.
- With the goal, Banda becomes the first player in NWSL history to reach 12 goals in under 16 appearances.
- Marta netted her fifth goal of the season, which is the second most on the team.
- Marta recorded her 10th goal from the penalty spot, becoming the fifth player in league history to score 10 penalty kick goals for one club, and also accounted for her 10th game-winning goal for Orlando.
- The Pride have earned seven points this season when playing a player down, holding a 2-0-1 record.
- Head Coach Seb Hines made one change to his previous starting lineup with Angelina reentering the Starting XI.
Next Match: The Pride will enter some time off before coming back and starting play in the inaugural NWSL X LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. They will begin group play by traveling to Cary, N.C. and taking on the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, July 20. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
