Orlando Pride can celebrate their new signing, Lizbeth Ovalle. At the same time, though, the fourth-placed team in the NWSL table is facing a major setback—their star player, Barbra Banda, is out of the season with an injury.
- Barbra Banda ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hip adductor injury—officially a full-thickness avulsion of her right adductor longus tendon—sustained during Orlando Pride’s match against Kansas City Current on August 16.
- Banda had been Orlando Pride’s top scorer, recording 8 goals and 1 assist across 16 NWSL matches this season.
- Her past accolades underscore her importance: she was the 2024 NWSL Championship MVP, named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI, and helped Orlando secure both the NWSL Shield and Championship.
- Club leadership reacted with disappointment and support: Sporting director Haley Carter expressed devastation at losing such a key player and pledged Orlando’s full commitment to her rehabilitation.
How will her club honor her despite injury? Learn more here.
