ORLANDO, Fla. (May 5, 2024) – The Orlando Pride (5-0-3, 18 points) extended its winning streak to five games, matching the Club record, with a 1-0 win over Racing Louisville FC (1-1-5, 8 points) on Sunday night at INTER&Co Stadium. The Pride are also now off to their best start in Club history, going eight straight games unbeaten and are the first NWSL team to go unbeaten in its first eight matches since North Carolina in 2018.
Barbra Banda scored the only goal of the night early in the first half, serving as her fourth goal of the season. Her four goals, which lead the Club, along with her two assists gives her six goal contributions in the last three matches.
Pride defender Emily Sams helped set up the Banda goal in the 17th minute of the match and picked up her first career NWSL assist. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made a sliding save in the 82nd minute on a Louisville breakaway to keep the clean sheet for Orlando, her third of the campaign and the 10th regular season shutout of her career.
Ninth-overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft Ally Lemos also made her first career start on the night.
With the win Sunday night, paired with the Kansas City Current playing to a draw, the Pride sit alone at the top of the NWSL standings with 18 points on the season.
Scoring Summary:
17’ Barbra Banda (Emily Sams) – ORL 1, LOU 0
The Pride struck early in the first half with a goal from forward Barbra Banda. Orlando built up an extended attack within the Louisville defensive third before Emily Sams sent in a cross to the far post to Banda who headed in a shot to give the Pride the early 1-0 lead.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“I think today was a tough game obviously with the quick turnaround and everything that we put into Wednesday. Their emotions and all that we had to go through after Wednesday, and then just to turn around against a good Louisville team who had a week to prepare for this game with a lot of energy you could see towards the end. The players were on their last legs, but I can't say enough compliments for them. To have that grit, that determination, the attitude, the mentality to see the game out and walk away with three points and end the week with nine points in three games. I'm really, really proud of all the efforts that they put into it.”
Match Notes:
- With the win, the Pride are undefeated through their first eight games of the 2024 campaign, picking up their fifth consecutive win, breaking the Club record for consecutive matches undefeated and tying the Club record for consecutive wins.
- The Pride are the first NWSL team since the North Carolina Courage in 2018 to go unbeaten in their first eight matches to start a campaign.
- Barbra Banda recorded her fourth goal of the season with a first half finish. She has now scored in three consecutive matches.
- Emily Sams picked up her first career NWSL assist on the Banda finish.
- In the midfield, Ally Lemos earned her first NWSL start. Lemos was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
- Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse kept her third clean sheet of the season, making three saves in the match to record her 100th regular-season save for the Pride and her 10th regular season shutout of her Pride career.
- The Pride extended their Club record to 12 straight games scoring a goal.
- Head Coach Seb Hines made one change to the Starting XI from the midweek win against the North Carolina Courage, with Ally Lemos earning a spot in the Starting XI.
Next Match: The Pride will play the final game of their three-game homestand and welcome Bay FC to INTER&Co Stadium for the two sides’ inaugural matchup. That match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 11 and can be seen nationally on ION Television.
