Orlando Pride Takes Down Racing Louisville FC 1-0 with Fifth Consecutive Win

May 5, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Orlando Pride News Release

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Pride (5-0-3, 18 points) extended its winning streak to five games, which matches 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 Moorehouse 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…