Following Orlando Pride’s 2-1 defeat to Utah Royals, head coach Seb Hines has expressed disappointment in the loss but delight to have Barbra Banda among the goals. During the post-match interviews, Summer Yates, who provided the assist for Banda’s goal, revealed the secret to her on-field chemistry with the Zambian striker.
Pride was looking to make it back-to-back wins with a home fixture against Utah Royals on Sunday after picking up a shocking win at Washington Spirit. In the closing stages of an eventful first half, Yates unleashed Banda into space with an impeccable throughball.
The Copper Queens striker then broke the deadlock after getting past the goalkeeper and passing the ball into the net. However, everything came crumbling down in the second half for the hosts.
Utah Royals restored parity at 49 minutes when Cloé Lacasse tapped in a cross from the right wing. The visitors turned the game on its head when Paige Cronin scored a thunderbolt in the 69th minute.
The 2024 NWSL champions have now suffered 12 defeats in 22 matches this season, occupying 12th position with 26 points outside the playoff berths. On the other hand, Utah Royals occupy second place in the log with 39 points.
“We started the second half very timid and allowed them to take territory without really doing much. It’s been a theme this season. We have to be better, motivate ourselves a little more, and get higher up the field to really put pressure on the opponent,” lamented Pride coach Hines after the match.
Banda scored her first NWSL goal since mid-July, ending her four-game goalless streak. She blanked in her first two league matches since the WAFCON 2026, where she netted five goals in three matches for Zambia.
Barbra trails by 2 goals in Golden boot race.
Speaking about Banda’s return to the scoresheet, Hines said, “On a positive note, Barb [Barbra Banda] gets back on the score sheet. Yeah, I mean, for any goal scorer, they don’t want to go too many games without a goal. So for her to get off the mark again is credit to her. It’s great for Barbra to get off the mark again and continue her goalscoring.”
It was Yates’ magical pass that led to Banda’s opening goal against Utah Royals. No current Pride player has registered more assists than Yates for a Banda goal since the Zambian made her NWSL debut in 2024.
The midfielder revealed after the match, “Being able to assist Barbra is like something we used to work on in training a lot. So it was nice to go out and see that shine on the field.”
“I feel like I know where Barbara’s going to be now at all times. So, anytime I can get into that pocket, I always know where she’s going to be. And she has great movement off the ball. Obviously, her speed is so lethal. So, it’s easy to play any ball behind her because I know she’s going to get there,” added Yates.
Pride will be looking to make amends in front of their home fans on Monday as they host Houston Dash at the Inter&Co Stadium.
Meanwhile, Banda is currently trailing the Golden Boot race by two goals, having scored 13 goals in 18 league matches.
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