Top 10 Moments of 2025: Barbra Banda Scores First Hat Trick In Orlando Pride History

As we count down to the new year of 2026 — which will be Orlando City’s 12th in MLS, the Orlando Pride’s 11th in the NWSL, and OCB’s fourth in MLS NEXT Pro — and say goodbye to 2025, it’s time to look back at the club’s 10 best moments of the year as selected by The Mane Land staff via vote.

The Pride were winless in the previous three games and in four of their last five when they traveled to Sandy UT, on May 23. The team got back on the right track with a 3-1 win over one of the worst teams in the league. But that wasn’t the most notable part of the game.

Following the departure of attacking midfielder Adriana during the off-season, the Pride struggled to score goals. Barbra Banda led the team in goals with just four conversions, followed by Marta and Haley McCutcheon with three. Prisca Chilufya’s second-half stoppage-time goal against the North Carolina Courage was the team’s only goal in the previous three games.

Banda quickly changed that with a historic performance.

While Utah created the first two chances of the game, the Pride struck early. In the sixth minute, Brecken Mozingo’s shot was right to Anna Moorhouse, and the Pride immediately went the other way. Oihane carried the ball over the midfield stripe and found Ally Watt making a run toward the corner. Banda went to the near post, where Watt found the striker, whose first touch was past Amanda McGlynn for the opening goal.

Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long. As the clock ticked into the 14th minute, Claudia Zornoza sent Mozingo — who was kept onside by Kylie Nadaner — behind the Pride back line, giving the attacker a breakaway on goal. The Pride center back nearly caught up, but Mozingo finished nicely to even the game at 1-1.

Banda pushed hard to give her team the lead back with chances in the 20th, 21st, and 26th minutes. However, it wasn’t until the 37th minute that she finally came through.

Janni Thomsen played a terrible pass back with no pressure that went between the center backs. Banda was in the right spot at the right time, turning on the jets to take possession. The Zambian international dribbled around McGlynn and calmly placed the ball into the back of the net for her second brace of the season, giving the Pride a 2-1 lead.

Just a minute later, Banda scored the goal that made club history. McCutcheon used a nice slide tackle to win the ball and sent a gorgeous pass down the left for Banda. Despite having little support, the attacker took on Kate Del Fava before powering a shot past McGlynn, beating her to her near post.

After 224 competitive games, it was the first hat trick in the 10-year history of the Orlando Pride, and it all took place in the opening half. Banda also became the first African international to score a hat trick in an NWSL match.

The second-half chances were much fewer and farther between. Neither team really threatened the opposing goalkeeper, allowing the Pride to secure all three points.

Banda’s feat was equaled nearly four months later, when Summer Yates scored three goals against Chorrillo FC in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. However, that was a club not at NWSL level, as evidenced by the majority of the Pride starting lineup being either on the bench or not dressed.

Adding to the impressiveness of Banda’s hat trick was that it was done in just 37 minutes and all three goals were from open play. In comparison, Yates’ hat trick took 58 minutes and included a penalty conversion.

While both hat tricks will be fondly remembered by Pride fans, there’s nothing like the first. Banda’s three goals on that summer evening in Utah will stand the test of time.

The Pride have had multiple superstar attackers like Alex Morgan and Marta over the years, but it was the 25-year-old striker in her second season with the team that achieved one of the most coveted individual feats in the sport. The historic achievement was worthy of a spot in our top moments of the year.

Come back through New Year’s Eve as we count down the remainder of the top 10 moments of 2025 for Orlando City, the Orlando Pride, and OCB.

Previous Top Moments of 2025

10. Orlando City clinches a playoff berth for a sixth consecutive season on Alex Freeman’s late game-tying goal.

9. Luis Muriel’s hat trick powers Lions to Leagues Cup knockout rounds.

8. Martin Ojeda scores Orlando City’s first hat trick since Cyle Larin did so all the way back in 2015.

7. Orlando City sweeps rival Inter Miami during the regular season, winning both games by three goals.

6. Martin Ojeda breaks Orlando City’s single-season record for goal contributions.

5. Luana returns to the pitch for the first time since undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

4. Alex Freeman has a breakout season, winning MLS Young Player of the Year and becoming the first Orlando City player to be named to the MLS Best XI.