Orlando, FL – At this point, we’re starting to wonder if Orlando Pride is powered by something other than Gatorade and grit. With a 1-0 nail-biting victory over Bay FC, the Pride not only extended their ridiculous unbeaten streak to 22 games, but also secured a cozy home playoff spot for the NWSL quarterfinals. Under Seb Hines’ watchful eye, this team is basically rewriting the league’s history books, one broken record at a time.
But don’t get too caught up in the numbers – this team’s journey is about more than stats. It’s a saga of resilience, adaptation, and the occasional heart attack for their fans. While Hines keeps saying they haven’t hit their peak yet (seriously, what’s their peak going to look like?), the Pride is proving they’re here to dominate, and maybe even redefine what it means to be great.
Banda’s Header: A Nightmare for Defenders, a Dream for Fans
If you’ve been sleeping under a rock, let me introduce you to Barbra Banda, the Cameroonian goal machine. She’s the nightmare that defenders wake up screaming about, and her latest victim? Bay FC. Banda’s 84th-minute header was so perfect, it should come with its own highlight reel soundtrack – something like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, because it was truly a masterpiece.
Thanks to a flawless cross from Carson Pickett (who, at this point, might be part cyborg with the precision she delivers), Banda leaped into the air like she was auditioning for the Olympics high jump. One swift header later, the ball was kissing the back of the net, and Banda had notched her 13th goal of the season. Oh, and did I mention? That ties the legendary Marta’s club record. NBD.
And let’s not forget, this was Banda’s sixth game-winner of 2024. We’re starting to wonder – do defenders even bother making plans for when they play Orlando? They might want to take up a different hobby – knitting, perhaps? Something less painful than trying to stop Banda from scoring.
Defenders Beware: The Impenetrable Anna Moorhouse
Now, while Banda steals the spotlight up front, Orlando Pride’s backline – and the absolute beast that is goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse – is quietly (okay, not-so-quietly) dominating everything in sight. Moorhouse has turned into the human version of a brick wall, setting up camp in the net and daring anyone to get past her. Spoiler alert: they can’t.
Against Bay FC, Moorhouse clocked her 12th shutout of the season – a new NWSL record. We’re talking 501 minutes without conceding a goal, folks. That’s over eight hours of soccer where she just refused to let the ball past. At this point, opposing strikers must feel like they’re playing against a hologram.
The pride of Orlando has their defense locked down tighter than a vault at Fort Knox, with Moorhouse guarding the door like a dragon. You’d think she has a personal vendetta against goals, given the way she swats them away. Credit to the backline, too – with Carson Pickett playing double duty, delivering assists and shutting down attackers like it’s no big deal.
Seb Hines: The Mastermind Behind the Madness
When Seb Hines took over Orlando Pride, there were more than a few skeptics. Now, with 15 wins, 6 draws, and a goose egg in the losses column, let’s just say those skeptics have been silenced faster than you can say “playoff contenders.”
But don’t expect Hines to get too comfortable. After their record-breaking win against Bay FC, he made sure to keep his team’s heads in check. “I don’t think we played our best today,” Hines said. “But we got the three points, and that’s what matters.” Sure, Seb. You’ve been unbeaten for 22 straight games, and you’re still saying there’s room for improvement? What’s next – trying to win games before they start?
It’s this relentless drive for perfection that’s propelling Orlando toward what could be the most historic season in NWSL history. Hines’ mantra of continuous evolution is the secret sauce that’s got this team eyeing the championship trophy like it’s already got their name on it.
What’s Next: Playoffs, and the Unstoppable Pride
With a home-field advantage locked up for the quarterfinals, the Pride has cemented their status as the team to beat in this year’s playoffs. Whether it’s blowing teams out of the water or grinding out those tough, hard-fought victories, Orlando always finds a way to win. Opponents might as well start drafting their “we tried” speeches now, because this team is laser-focused on one thing: the NWSL title.
With Banda scoring like it’s her job (oh wait, it is), Moorhouse making goalkeeping look like a walk in the park, and Seb Hines constantly pushing for better, the sky’s the limit for this squad. And if they’re not even at their best yet? Well, the rest of the league should probably start panicking.
So buckle up, folks. Orlando Pride is not just rewriting history – they’re sprinting toward the finish line, and nothing, absolutely nothing, seems capable of slowing them down.