Copper Queens striker Barbra Banda was the star of the show as Orlando Pride tore Chicago Red Stars to shreds with an emphatic 4-1 win in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League quarterfinal playoffs.
She scored two goals and won a penalty for the 2024 NWSL Shield winners at the Inter&Co stadium on Saturday, breaking the club’s goal record.
With Chicago Red Stars’ defence in sixes and sevens, Haley Hanson broke the deadlock for the hosts, cleverly heading the ball into the net at 26 minutes.
Barbra Banda doubled the lead six minutes before halftime after outpacing Chicago Red Stars’ Cari Roccaro.
It was rinse and repeat for the Copper Queens skipper, who had Roccaro chasing shadows again when she outran the American to score her second on the brink of halftime.
But for the woodwork, Banda would have claimed the match ball as she successfully rounded the goalkeeper, only to find the post in the 50th minute.
Banda’s shirt was tugged in the box in the 56th minute, and Marta, converted the resultant spot-kick to make it 4-0.
“Back On The Scoresheet”- Barbra Banda.
The visitors got a consolation goal on the hour mark when Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse gifted the ball to Jameese Joseph.
Now at 15 goals for the 2024 season, Barbra Banda has broken the record for the most goals scored by an Orlando Pride player in a single campaign, surpassing Marta’s 13 goals from 2017.
She also became the first player to score a brace for Orlando Pride in the history of the NWSL playoffs.
“A great start to the play offs,” wrote Barbra Banda after the 4-1 win.
She added, “Back on the score sheet. Brace on the day. We are Orlando Pride.”
Orlando Pride will now clash horns with either Kansas City Current or North Carolina Courage in the 2024 NWSL playoff semifinals. The Shield winners will host the penultimate match at the Inter&Co stadium in Florida on November 15.
