WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 26, 2024) – The Orlando Pride (3-0-3, 12 points) continued its hot start to the 2024 NWSL season, picking up a 3-2 victory over the Washington Spirit (4-2-0, 12 points) in the nation’s capital on Friday night. The Pride were backed by goals from Angelina, Summer Yates and Barbra Banda, with the latter also tallying an assist and earning a penalty kick in her first-ever NWSL start.
Orlando is now unbeaten through the first six games of the season, earning three points in each of its last three matches. The Club has also scored goals in its last 10 matches, dating back to the 2023 season, tying a franchise record.
The Pride got the scoring started with a first half goal from Angelina, with Banda earning her assist on the play. After entering the locker room knotted at 1-1, Banda then scored her goal off a corner kick before drawing a penalty that Yates put away.
Angelina’s goal marked the first of her Pride career, while Yates’ accounted for her third of the season.
The Pride managed to hold onto the one-goal lead despite being down to 10 players for all 11 minutes of second-half stoppage time.
Scoring Summary:
22’ Angelina (Barbra Banda) - ORL 1, WAS 0
The Pride opened the scoring on the road after Barbra Banda got on the end of a ball sent up the field. Banda whipped a cross in right to the penalty spot that found an oncoming Angelina who struck a volley into the back of the net for the lead.
40’ Ouleymata Sarr (Croix Bethune) - ORL 1, WAS 1
The home side leveled things minutes before the close of the first half, with Ouleymata Sarr breaking behind the Pride backline and sending a ball over the head of an onrushing Anna Moorhouse.
51’ Barbra Banda (Julie Doyle) - ORL 2, WAS 1
The Pride took the lead back early in the second half after a corner kick from Summer Yates was whipped near the front post. Julie Doyle managed to get a foot to it to flick it on and find the head of Banda who made no mistake in front of the goal.
57’ Summer Yates (Penalty Kick) - ORL 3, WAS 1
The visitors extended their lead shortly after Banda was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. Yates stepped up to the spot, sent the keeper the wrong way, and put the ball in the back of the net.
65’ Ashley Hatch – ORL 3, WAS 2
The Spirit pulled one back after Ashley Hatch was able to get a shot off that found the way through the hands of the Pride goalkeeper.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“[The final whistle was] more relief than anything. If we dissect the game, although we took the lead, I thought we started slow. We didn’t really start [like] ourselves. We were very lethargic, I thought Washington started on the front foot, putting us under real pressure. We didn’t really get any rhythm in the game but it’s a great ball from Barbra [Banda] to Ang[elina] and it’s a great finish. Then I think the disappointing part from our side is that we gifted them two goals today. In this league, you can’t give teams goals because they’ll punish you. So it’s a good reminder that we have to keep our standards high, stick to who we are and stick to our identity. I’m super proud of the players, to not only see the game out at 3-2, but with 10 players. It shows another side to our game. So I’m super proud of them and their efforts and everything they put in today.”
Match Notes:
- Forward Barbra Banda scored a goal and earned an assist, which both counted as her firsts in the NWSL and with the Pride, while also drawing a penalty kick in the game.
- Banda also earned her first NWSL start in the match, while defender Rafaelle made her first start of the 2024 season.
- Angelina’s goal counted for her first of the season, her first as a member of the Pride and her first in the NWSL regular season.
- Summer Yates scored her third goal of the season, all of which have come this year, with the penalty kick counting as her first professional finish from the spot.
- Forward Julie Doyle earned her first assist of the season and her fourth of her career on Banda’s finish.
- With the goal, the Orlando Pride have now scored in 10 straight regular season matches, which ties a Club record.
- The Pride are now unbeaten against the Spirit over their last five matches in regular season play, totaling a 3-0-2 record.
- Entering as second-half substitutes, Cori Dyke made her professional debut, while Carrie Lawrence made her 2024 debut and first appearance since suffering a season-ending injury during preseason last year.
- Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to his starting XI from the Club’s last matchup against the San Diego Wave with Banda and Rafaelle entering the starting lineup.
Next Match: The Pride will face a quick turnaround and return to INTER&Co Stadium to take on the North Carolina Courage on Wednesday, May 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with the match available on NWSL+.
