KANSAS CITY, M.O. (Special to Florida Sports Wire) – The Orlando Pride (11-0-5, 38 points) earned its 16th-straight result on Saturday night, defeating the Kansas City Current (10-1-5, 35 points) by a 2-1 scoreline in the most anticipated match of 2024 thus far. The two teams both entered the night undefeated on the season with identical records, but it was the Pride who walked away with all three points after goals from Barbra Banda and Marta.
The Pride jumped out to a lead first, as Banda scored her 12th goal in as many appearances to stay tied for the most goals scored in the NWSL. The 12th goal is also one shy of tying the Pride’s all-time single season scoring record, a record held by Marta.
Marta recorded her fifth goal of the season, converting from the penalty spot in the second half. It was the 10th penalty kick of her Pride career, as she became just the fifth player in the league to score double digit goals from the penalty spot with a single team.
The Pride were forced down to 10 players after defender Carrie Lawrence was shown her second yellow card in the 42nd minute, but the defense was able to hold the home side scoreless from that moment on, backed by seven saves from Anna Moorhouse, which ties her season high. The Pride have now earned seven points (2-0-1) on the year when playing down a player.
Scoring Summary:
37’ Barbra Banda – ORL 1, KC 0
The Pride opened the scoring on the night after Adriana attempted to play a through ball behind the Current defense. The ball was deflected off a Current defender and fell to Barbra Banda in open space who made no mistake sliding the ball past the Current goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
39’ Temwa Chawinga (Izzy Rodriguez) – ORL 1, KC 1
The home side quickly answered after Izzy Rodriguez passed a ball up to Temwa Chawinga, who turned her defender and ran towards the night. Chawinga was able to get free of a couple Pride defenders and get a shot off that just got past Anna Moorhouse.
63’ Marta (Penalty Kick) – ORL 2, KC 1
The Pride regained the lead playing a player down after Current’s goalkeeper AD Franch fouled Adriana in the box. Marta stepped up to the penalty spot and sent the ball right down the middle of the net for the lead.
