Barbra Banda was in celebratory mood as her lone strike earned Orlando Pride a 1-0 win over Washington Spirit to hand them their first-ever NWSL championship title, Afrosport reports.
The Zambian forward has been a class apart in her first season in the United States and scored for the third consecutive game in the NWSL playoffs when she finished off brilliantly in the 37th minute.
Banda joined big names in Megan Rapinoe and Amy Rodriguez as the only players to score in each other their three NWSL playoff games.
3 – Barbra Banda of the @ORLPride is the third player to score in each of her first three NWSL playoff games, joining Megan Rapinoe and Amy Rodriguez. Trio. pic.twitter.com/hUXahAOkaU
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) November 24, 2024
The 24-year-old was could not hide her joy as she was awarded as the NWSL MVP.
“What a season it has been. We are Champions at last. NWSL Champions Baby, she said in a post on X.
“What a team, so much hard work from everyone, the players , the coaches and management.
“This is for all our dear fans who have been amazing throughout the season.”
What a season it has been. We are Champions at last .
NWSL Champions Baby 🏆 💪💪💪💪
What a team, so much hard work from everyone, the players , the coaches and management.
This is for all our dear fans who have been amazing throughout the season.
NWSL Championship MVP 💪. pic.twitter.com/wuZfV0or2X
— Barbra Banda (@BarbraBanda11) November 24, 2024
Banda caps off her NWSL season scoring 17 goals (four in the playoffs) and providing seven assists in 25 games.
It also caps off a fantastic season for Orlando who had also won the NWSL Shield earlier as champions of the regular season.
