The Orlando Pride dropped a 4-2 decision to the Washington Spirit on Saturday evening in front of an announced crowd of 7,507 at Inter&Co Stadium.
Orlando fell to 2-3-2 and remain at eight points in the NWSL and are 11th in the standings with its second consecutive loss. Washington improved to 4-1-3 and are at 15 points with its fourth consecutive victory, which is good for the second in the table. The match started one hour and 37 minutes late because of lightning storms in the area.
Sofia Cantore scored two goals early for Washington and was assisted by Trinity Rodman on both scores. Claudia Martinez and Rodman also scored for the Spirit. Martinez’s goal in the 56th minute broke a 2-2 tie after Orlando had battled back from a 2-0 deficit.
Barbra Banda scored twice for Orlando, her second consecutive two-goal effort after scoring twice in last week’s loss to Racing Louisville.
Washington struck quickly after Pride defender Rafaelle lost Cantore on the attack. Rodman chipped the ball over Orlando’s defense to Cantore, who hammered a shot from outside the box past goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse in the second minute of play.
“Frustrating. Obviously, we don’t like losing. Don’t like conceding four goals, especially at home,” Orlando head coach Seb Hines said. “So (we’re) really disappointed with the result. There was some good moments, but it wasn’t enough tonight.”
Orlando’s defense struggled throughout the night against the side it beat for the NWSL title in 2024, especially early, conceding four goals on just seven shots on target.
Cantore netted her second goal in the sixth minute to put the Pride in an early 2-0 deficit. After an Orlando shot rang off the post, Washington pushed on the counter. Rodman secured her second assist, leading Cantore perfectly and allowing the Italian forward to power a shot past Moorhouse for the finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
The tallies were Cantore’s second and third of the season.
The Pride found an offensive spark late in the first half courtesy of Banda’s brace. Banda’s first goal came in the 33rd minute with her back to the goal, controlling a header from Rafaelle and twisting around to slot it home for her sixth goal of the season to cut the lead to 2-1. Rafaelle was credited with the assist.
Banda scored again in the 39th minute to bring her league-leading total to seven goals. Oihane drove a low cross into the box to find Banda in front of goal, and the forward threaded her shot through heavy traffic into the back of the net to draw level at 2-2. Oihane earned the assist on the goal.
“It can’t always be Barbra. You turn into a one-player team,” Hines added. “We hit the post. I think we hit the bar as well. These are the fine margins that are kind of letting us down.”
Orlando’s defensive lapses resurfaced in the second half. Rafaelle lost her mark for a third time in the 56th minute, allowing Martinez to break free. Martinez easily worked her way into the box and slotted the ball home to allow the Spirit to retake the lead at 3-2. She was assisted by Leicy Santos.
Washington delivered the final blow in the 70th minute when Pride defenders lost their marks in transition, allowing Rodman to take advantage of the lapse and put the match away at 4-2 with her third goal of the season, a left-footed blast from close range. Rosemonde Kouassi got the assist on the goal.
The Pride are back in action Friday at home against the North Carolina Courage.