The Orlando Pride endured another hour-long lightning delay Saturday night but could not weather the storm as they gave up a first-half lead and fell to the visiting Utah Royals 2-1.
Orlando fell to 8-12-2 and remain at 26 points in the NWSL standings. Utah improved to 12-7-3 with 39 points.
“I thought first half we were all right. We created some good opportunities, took the lead,” Orlando head coach Seb Hines said. “I’m disappointed to sit here and say there’s another defeat at home in front of our fans. Our fans are terrific. They’re really supportive, even when it’s rain or shine. They always turn up, and we need to get the results that they deserve.”
Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the 44th minute after Summer Yates set her up with a one-on-one against goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn. Banda outran the defenders, getting on the end of Yates’ through ball before McGlynn made an attempt at the ball. McGlynn got a foot on the ball, but the rebound stayed with Banda, setting up a wide-open shot for a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
It was Banda’s 13th goal of the season. She is second in the league in goals. The assist was Yates’ second of the season.
Utah drew level in the 50th minute with a goal from Cloé Lacasse. Kiana Palacios crossed the ball in from the right-hand side, and Lacasse was there to tap it in past Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morche.
The Royals scored again in the 69th minute when Paige Cronin scored her first goal since April. Lacasse had her NWSL-leading 10th assist as the visitors took advantage of an overwhelmed Orlando defense to grab the 2-1 lead. Lacasse is now tied for the league’s single-season record in assists alongside Tobin Heath (2016) and Croix Bethune (2024).
“Our energy kind of shifted a little bit. We were trying to play with some things in the second half, trying to work on our press, and it didn’t really quite go the way we wanted it to go,” Yates said. “But I think throughout the game, I think we could have just shown more energy.”
Orlando thought it had conceded a penalty in second-half stoppage time when Oihane made contact with Lacasse in the box. A lengthy VAR check found that Utah had committed a handball offense in the build-up, giving Orlando a lifeline.
The Pride pushed forward in the dying moments but could not find a way through. They were outshot 18-9 on the night, with only two shots on target to Utah’s six.
Next up for Orlando is a home match against the Houston Dash on Sept. 6.
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) scores a goal past Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn (1) during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morche leaps high to grab the ball during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players gather before the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) attempts a goal kick during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Haley McCutcheon (left) kicks the ball away from Utah player Miyabi Moriya (22) during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Utah players Ana Tejada (17) and Kate Del Fava (8) keep the ball from Orlando player Jacquie Ovalle (13) during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) celebrates with teammate Summer Yates (28) after Banda scored a goal during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morche (bottom) stops a goal attempt by Utah player Kiana Palacios (21) during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) and Utah player Kate Del Fava (8) chase the ball during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Seb Hines coaches during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Utah player Tatumn Milazzo (2) fouls Orlando player Barbra Banda (bottom), drawing a yellow card, during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Utah player Tatumn Milazzo (right) fouls Orlando player Barbra Banda (left), drawing a yellow card, during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Utah player Nuria Rabano (14) and Orlando player Summer Yates (28) collide during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Seb Hines smiles before the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) scores a goal past Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn (1) during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morche makes a save during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The Orlando starting 11 are pictured before the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) scores a goal during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players celebrate after a goal during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Seb Hines coaches players before the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Utah player Miyabi Moriya (left) and Orlando player Haley McCutcheon (right) chase the ball during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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Orlando player Barbra Banda (11) scores a goal past Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn (1) during the Utah Royals at Orlando Pride NWSL match at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, August 29, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)