Barbra Banda scored twice, including her 16th goal of the season, as the Orlando Pride women’s team drew 2-2 with Kansas City Current on Sept. 11 at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Banda opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when Ally Lemos assisted on a lofted ball that Banda volleyed home. Banda struck again in the 50th minute after Hailie Mace played her through on the left wing, giving Orlando Pride a two-goal lead.
Kansas City Current cut into the deficit three minutes later when Temwa Chawinga scored in the 53rd minute, with Michelle Cooper credited with the assist. Elizabeth Bell equalized in the 56th minute after a corner kick, completing the scoring.
Barbra Banda reaches another milestone
Banda’s second goal was her 16th of the season and extended her Orlando Pride single-season club record. She became the fourth player in NWSL history to score at least 16 goals in a single season.
The performance was Banda’s fourth brace of the 2026 season and ninth of her NWSL career. She also joined Sophia Wilson and Megan Rapinoe as the only players with at least 10 multi-goal games for the same club.
Lemos recorded her third assist of the season, tying Banda and Jacquie Ovalle for the Orlando Pride team lead. Mace recorded her first goal contribution with Orlando Pride and her sixth NWSL assist.
Orlando Pride match notes
Orlando Pride remained unbeaten against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium, with a 1-0-2 record. Marta made her first appearance for Orlando Pride since the club’s July 31 match against North Carolina Courage.
Haley McCutcheon made her 99th regular-season appearance for Orlando Pride, second-most in club history behind Marta. Interim Head Coach Yolanda Thomas made no changes to the starting lineup from Orlando Pride’s previous match against Houston Dash.
Kylie Nadaner was on maternity leave, while Viviana Villacorta, Rafaelle and Kerry Abello missed the match because of injuries. Villacorta was out with a knee injury, Rafaelle with a head injury and Abello with a hip injury.
“It feels disappointing when you’re up two-zero and you don’t come out with three points, but the fact that we are now feeling disappointed about not getting three points in a game like this is a testament to how far we’ve come in just a week and a half. So, still, to go into this atmosphere, given what we’ve been through and to get a point, is still a good thing for us. I’m proud with the effort put forth and the fact that we’ve come out of here with a point,” Thomas said.
Orlando Pride will host Portland Thorns on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Inter&Co Stadium. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and will air on ION.
Source: Original report