Barbra Banda Earns NWSL MVP Nomination Following Stellar Season
Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda has made waves in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) with a standout season for Orlando Pride, leading to a nomination for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Banda is in esteemed company, nominated alongside global stars like Marta (also her teammate), U.S. national team members Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) and Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), as well as Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga, who topped the league with 20 goals this season.
The nomination reflects Banda’s impact on and off the field, as she scored 13 goals and provided six assists throughout the regular season. Her contributions helped Orlando Pride achieve an unprecedented 60 points, securing the NWSL Shield for the team. Banda’s combination of speed, skill, and tactical awareness made her a constant threat, both as a goal scorer and playmaker, turning her into one of the league’s most versatile and exciting players.
Expressing her excitement on social media, Banda wrote, “Happy to have been nominated for the NWSL MVP alongside four other amazing talents including the great Marta.” Her words underscored her pride at being recognized among elite talent, highlighting the growth of African players in global football.
The recognition comes at a critical moment in the playoffs, where Banda recently scored a brace in the quarterfinals, sending Orlando Pride to the semifinals. Their upcoming matchup is set to be an exciting showdown, as Banda’s Pride will face Kansas City Current, led by fellow nominee Temwa Chawinga. This semifinal not only pits two of the season’s standout players against each other but also represents a celebration of African talent on one of the world’s biggest football stages.
