Barbra Banda put on a show for Orlando Pride in their opening matchday of the 2025 NWSL scoring a brace and delivering an assist in a 6-0 win against Chicago Red Stars.
The defending champions put their NWSL Challenge Cup defeat to Washington Spirit behind them with a statement victory at the Exploria Stadium on Saturday morning.
Seven minutes into the contest Barbra Banda made an explosive run into the six yard box from the left forcing a save out of Alyssa Naeher.
Morgan Gautrat then laid off the resulting rebound to Hayley McCutcheon, who broke the deadlock with a stunning left footed strike.
Barbra Reacts To Scoring A Brace.
Ally Watt doubled the lead for Pride in the 36th minute, nodding in a ravishing delivery by Brazilian icon Marta from a corner. The day only went from bad to worse for Chicago Red Stars as Hannah Anderson directed the ball into her own net with Banda breathing down her neck, just after the interval.
After leaving the defender for dead on the right wing, Barbra Banda made a menacing run into the box before cutting back to Julie Doyle for a fourth goal at 65 minutes.
She got her first of the campaign in the 80th minute, comfortably slotting the ball to the opposition goalkeeper’s left after a brilliant run.
Saving the best for last, Banda added the icing on the cake with a jaw-dropping strike from over 25 yards.
Chicago Red Stars were the architects of their own downfall when Camryn Biegalski’s back pass found Barbra Banda, who unleashed an astonishing belter in the 87th minute.
Half a dozen goals and maximum points for Sed Hines’ side, whose title defence has gotten off to a perfect start in Orlando.
Orlando Pride will visit NJ/NY Gotham at the Red Bull Arena on March 23 for the next NWSL encounter.
