Orlando Pride Celebrates Historic First Hat Trick Thanks to Barbra Banda
The Orlando Pride didn’t just beat Utah Royals FC on Friday night—they annihilated the narrative. A 3-1 victory at America First Field wasn’t just another win; it was a coronation.
Barbra Banda, the Zambian lightning bolt, didn’t just score—she rewrote history with the Pride’s first-ever hat trick, all before halftime. Let that sink in.
Banda’s Masterclass: A Half-Hour for the Ages
In 38 minutes, Banda:
✔️ Became the first Pride player ever to net a hat trick.
✔️ Joined an elite NWSL trio as only the third player to do it in a first half.
✔️ Made history as the first to achieve it on the road.
✔️ Surpassed Alex Morgan’s 23-goal tally, now sitting second in Pride history with 24 goals across all competitions.
✔️ Tied for the 2025 Golden Boot lead (7 goals) with a tiebreaker assist in her back pocket.
This wasn’t just a performance—it was a takeover.
The Goals: A Symphony of Speed & Precisio
6’ | ORL 1-0 – Ally Watt’s slicing pass met Banda’s razor-sharp instincts. One touch. Net bulging. Game on.
14’ | 1-1 – Utah’s Brecken Mozingo briefly silenced the party with a slick finish. Briefly.
37’ | ORL 2-1 – Banda smelled blood. A defensive miscue? Stolen. A sprint past the backline? Done. A cool dribble around the keeper? Signature.
38’ | ORL 3-1 – 61 seconds later, Haley McCutcheon’s tackle turned into Banda’s rocket. Hat trick secured. Records shattered. Mic drop.
Seb Hines: “We Came for Three—Banda Gave Us a Legacy Moment”
The Pride’s gaffer didn’t mince words:
“Before the break, we needed this. Recent games? Good play, no payoff. Tonight? We demanded both. And Banda? She didn’t just deliver—she redefined what’s possible.”
The Ripple Effect
Ally Watt & Haley McCutcheon unlocked their first assists of 2025, with McCutcheon’s being her Pride debut helper.
Banda now has 8 regular-season game-winners—second in club history. Guess who she passed? (Hint: Alex Morgan.)
Utah’s defense? Left in shambles. Orlando’s swagger? Unstoppable.
What’s Next?
The Pride (6-3-1, 19 pts) aren’t just climbing the table—they’re carving their legend. And with Banda in this form? The NWSL’s Golden Boot race just got a new queen.
Final Thought: Some players have great nights. Banda had a historic revolution. And Orlando? They’re just getting started.
