Barbra Banda Makes History with First-Ever Hat-Trick for Orlando Pride in NWSL
Zambian international Barbra Banda has etched her name into the history books by scoring the first-ever hat-trick for Orlando Pride in their 10-year history in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
On a memorable Saturday morning in the United States, Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a sensational first-half hat-trick in Orlando Pride’s 3-1 win over Utah Royals. The 24-year-old not only broke her three-match goal drought but also became the first player in the club’s history to score a hat-trick, doing so in just 32 minutes.
It was a defining moment in Banda’s career and for Orlando Pride, who have featured iconic players like Alex Morgan, Marta, and Sydney Leroux over the past decade but never had a player achieve such a feat — until now.
⚽ How the Hat-Trick Unfolded
Barbra Banda wasted no time in getting her name on the scoresheet. In just the 6th minute, she latched onto a low cross from Ally Watt and calmly finished from close range to give Orlando an early lead. Though Brecken Mozingo equalized for Utah eight minutes later, Banda was far from done.
Her second goal came in the 37th minute, showcasing her trademark speed and composure. She capitalized on a misdirected backward pass from the Royals, sprinted past the defense and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home to restore Orlando’s lead.
The Zambian striker completed her hat-trick before halftime, in the 38th minute, after receiving a brilliant long ball from Haley McCutcheon and beating the goalkeeper at the near post — sending the Pride bench and traveling fans into jubilation.
🏆 A Milestone 10 Years in the Making
Orlando Pride, who joined the NWSL in 2016, had gone 10 seasons without a single player scoring a hat-trick. Several players had come close with braces, but none had managed to net three in a game — until Banda’s brilliance ended the drought.
“It had to be Barbra Banda,” one commentator remarked. “She’s been an unstoppable force since her arrival from Shanghai Shengli.”
The moment was so iconic that Banda was subbed off in the 72nd minute to a standing ovation and replaced by Brazilian legend Marta.
🇿🇲 Zambian Influence Growing in the NWSL
Banda’s incredible performance further highlights the rising influence of Zambian talent on the global stage. Prisca Chilufya was an unused substitute, while Grace Chanda was not included in the matchday squad. Nonetheless, the presence of three Zambians at a single NWSL club is a significant milestone for Zambian women’s football.
📊 Standings & Scoring Charts
The win propelled Orlando Pride to second place on the NWSL table with 19 points after 10 games, just two behind league leaders Kansas City Current. Banda’s hat-trick also saw her climb to the top of the NWSL Golden Boot race, now tied on seven goals with Spain’s Esther Gonzalez.
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1️⃣ | Kansas City Current | 21 |
| 2️⃣ | Orlando Pride | 19 |
| 3️⃣ | Portland Thorns | 17 |
✨ What This Means
Barbra Banda is proving why she is one of the most exciting talents in world football. Her combination of pace, physicality, and finishing has given Orlando a real shot at title contention this season. For Zambia, it’s further evidence of how the Copper Queens continue to export world-class talent.
Her achievement will go down in Orlando Pride history — and likely set the tone for many more record-breaking performances in the years to come.
