Copper Queens captain picked up where she left off last season as she netted a brace and assisted a goal to guide Orlando Pride to a 6-0 win over Chicago Red Stars.
The Copper Queens’ Captain’s performance earned her the NWSL player of the week accolade.
Banda was able to put the game away with two late goals, which makes her the team leader to start the season.
Last season’s Golden Boot runner-up started the season where she left off securing her fifth brace of the regular season in her NWSL career.
The Zambia international has now tied Marta’s Club record for matches with at least one goal and one assist, each having done so on four separate occasions.
Haley McCutcheon got the scoring started early in the match, with her teammates following in her footsteps. Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle added to the tally while the Pride also earned a goal from a Chicago own goal.
Three Pride players recorded their first assists of the regular season with Morgan Gautrat, Banda and Marta picking up assists. Marta extended her Club record in assists to 20 helpers across all competitions.
Banda turns 25 today, crazy to imagine seeing how much she has achieved already leading Zambia to back to back Olympics where she has made and broken a number of records.
Banda was last year named the BBC World Women’s player of the year , CAF Women’s player of the year, Made it to the FIFPRO World XI and was voted 2nd in the race for the FIFA the Best Women’s player of the year.
Reserved