Barbra Banda scored twice as Orlando built a 2-0 advantage in the second half of its match Friday night against Kansas City.
The Pride found themselves in a good spot in interim head coach Yolanda Thomas’ second game at the helm after Orlando fired Seb Hines on Aug. 31.
Orlando, though, could not hold the lead and wound up in a 2-2 draw with the Current in NWSL play in Kansas City.
Banda scored in the 43rd and 50th minutes. They were the Zambia star’s 15th and 16th goals of the season, extending her club record for goals in a season. Kansas City countered with goals by Temwa Chawinga in the 53rd minute and the equalizer by Elizabeth Ball in the 56th minutes.
Banda and Chawinga were among the nominees revealed earlier in the week for the women’s Ballon D’Or, awarded to the best player in the world.
Ally Lemos assisted on Banda’s first goal, a right-footed strike from outside the box to the top left corner. Hallie Mace got the assist on the second goal, a left-footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner.
Orlando desperately needed the three points to make a bigger move in the standings but wound up settling for one point as it sits at 30 points with a 9-12-3 record. Kansas City is 11-8-5 with 38 points.
The Pride face Portland at home Sept. 19 in their next action.