NWSL: Orlando Pride wins fourth consecutive match to start the season, one of two 4-0-0 teams remaining
- Dan Stickradt
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
SEATTLE – Then there were two remaining.
The Orlando Pride defeated Seattle Reign FC on Saturday afternoon at Lumen Field via a 1–0 scoreline. The Pride, 4-0-0, on the young season with 12 points, have now won their fourth straight match to start the regular season, becoming just the fourth team in NWSL history to do so. The KC Current also stand at 4-0-0 this season.
The Pride one a plus-10 scoring differential (11-1) while the Current boast a plus-nine differential (10-1). Both are perfect in the 14-team standings and have 12 points to lead the 14-team NWSL.
The Pride’s lone goal against Seattle (1-2-1) came from Barbra Banda in the first half, her third of the season and her 16th regular season goal of her career. The 16 goals tie former Pride striker Sydney Leroux for the third most regular season goals in Club history.
The backline held firm to hold onto its third clean sheet of the season, as the Pride have outscored the opposition 11-1 this season with a team goals-against-average of 0.25.. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made a season-high five saves including a few game-winning stops down the stretch, while defenders Kylie Nadaner and Carson Pickett made several key blocks. The clean sheet is the first time in Club history the Pride have held Seattle scoreless at Lumen Field.
“Really pleased and really happy. The parity within the league, it is so difficult to come away with three points away from home, so I am super proud of the players and the way they showed their character today,” said Pride head coach Seb Hines. “I thought we did a really good job of dictating play and passing the ball in certain moments. The goal was phenomenal. I thought Summer Yates, unfortunately she got injured, but I thought she was outstanding today and set a tone. That is just one player, but I thought there were some really good performances tonight. Then, towards the end when a team is trying to get back in the game, we showed character. New players coming in, Oihane making her debut today and Carson (Pickett) coming back as well is important. Overall, really pleased with the togetherness and to come away with three points.”
The second half saw the Pride use their depth on the bench as Hines made four substitutions to hold onto the lead. Defender Oihane made her NWSL debut coming on in the 61st minute while Carson Pickett made her season debut coming off the bench in the 71st minute. Oihane, a 2023 World Cup Winner with Spain, joined the Pride in February.
SCORING SUMMARY
41’ Barbra Banda (Summer Yates) – ORL 1, SEA 0
The Pride struck first before the halftime whistle with Barbra Banda finding the back of the net. The ball went out to the right flank and found Summer Yates who made a move to beat her defender to the endline and send a ball right in front of the net. Banda was in the right place, at the right time and tapped it home for the early lead.
MATCH NOTES:
Barbra Banda scored her third goal of the season, which leads the Club
Banda’s goal also served as her 16th regular season goal for the Pride, which ties Sydney Leroux for third in Club history.
Summer Yates earned her first assist of the season on the Banda finish.
Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made a season-high five saves and earned her third clean sheet of the season.
Coming on as a second half substitution, defender Oihane made her NWSL debut for the Pride.
The Pride are just the fourth team in NWSL history to start the regular season with four straight wins.
Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to the Starting XI after his side’s last match against the San Diego Wave with midfielders Summer Yates and Ally Lemos earning the start.
NEXT MATCH
Orlando Pride will return home to Inter&Co Stadium to host the Washington Spirit on Saturday, April 19, in a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. That match is set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET on ION.
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