Zambia forward Barbra Banda scored her 13th goal of the season but could not prevent Orlando Pride from suffering a 2-1 defeat by Utah Royals in the NWSL.
Banda put Orlando ahead just before half-time at Inter&Co Stadium, getting on the end of a well-weighted pass from Summer Yates before rounding the goalkeeper and calmly finishing into an empty net.
The goal moved Banda onto 13 league goals for the campaign, equalling her best single-season tally and Orlando Pride’s club record.
The Copper Queens captain has now registered 15 goal contributions this season, with 13 goals and two assists, and sits second in the NWSL Golden Boot race behind Ashley Sanchez, who has 15 goals.
Utah responded quickly after the break, with Cloé Lacasse levelling in the 50th minute before Paige Cronin completed the comeback with the winner in the 69th minute.
Lacasse turned provider for Cronin, who finished to give Utah all three points and leave Orlando to rue another match in which they surrendered a lead.
Banda was one goal away from taking sole possession of Orlando’s single-season scoring record, previously set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda in 2024.
The defeat leaves Orlando 12th in the standings on 26 points, while Utah move onto 39 points in second place.
Orlando will look to respond when they host Houston Dash on 6 September.
