Barbra Banda was named player of the match against North Carolina Courage after scoring two goals and assisting on another in only her third NWSL appearance for the Orlando Pride, contributing to five goals in the last two games.
Banda intelligently assisted forward Ally Watt, who opened the scoring in the first half.
The Copper Queens captain went on to score twice, once in each half. With the brace and assist, Banda became the first NWSL player to have a goal and an assist in her first two starts, as well as the first to have five-goal contributions.
Meanwhile, her compatriot Racheal Kundananji scored one goal and assisted on another in Bay FC’s 3-2 loss to Portland Thorns FC this morning.
Portland scored in the second and seventh minutes to take an early 2-0 lead. Bay FC responded with a late first-half goal from Kundananji, making it 2-1. The Zambian scored her second goal in five NWSL appearances.
Bay FC tied the game in the 60th minute, with Kundananji becoming the first player in the club’s history to score and assist in the same game.
Kundananji provided the finishing pass to Deyna Castellanos, who tied the game at 2-2. However, Bay FC failed to defend, and Portland scored a late winner in the 78th minute via Sophia Smith.
“I think we are that team that never gives up… I like the spirit that we fight until the end,” said Kundananji after the game, as quoted by NWSL commentator Sara Ach
Bay FC will host the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday (Monday in Zambia), May 5, at PayPal Park, while Orlando will also host Racing Louisville on the same day.
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