The Orlando Pride football club has faced a significant blow to its playoff aspirations and its quest for a second consecutive NWSL title. Star forward Barbra Banda will miss the remainder of the 2025 regular season due to a full thickness avulsion of her right adductor longus tendon, as announced by the club on Saturday. Banda leads the team, having scored eight goals in 16 matches.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Barbra Banda has been placed on the Season-Ending Injury list following the soft-tissue injury she sustained during our recent match against the Kansas City Current,” stated Haley Carter, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director.
“Barbra has been instrumental to our success, and losing a player of her caliber is heartbreaking for the entire organization. We are committed to providing her with the highest level of care and support throughout her recovery. Her contributions to this team, both on and off the field, have been immeasurable, and we know she will approach her rehabilitation with the same determination and professionalism she brings to everything she does,” Carter added.
The injury occurred on August 16 during the club`s match against the Kansas City Current, which was delayed for three hours due to extreme weather conditions.
Banda`s arrival in the league has captured global attention. She joined the club in 2024, and the Zambian international has scored 25 goals and provided seven assists across 41 matches. She was a 2024 NWSL MVP finalist and earned the NWSL Championship MVP award, helping Orlando Pride secure its first-ever NWSL Championship title. She was also named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI First Team. Banda has been twice recognized as BBC`s Women`s Footballer of the Year and recently received her second Ballon d`Or nomination.
The Pride recently bolstered their attacking lineup by signing Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle in a record-breaking deal. The club negotiated a $1.5 million transfer fee for the Mexican forward, who signed a contract through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028.
