By OkayGoal 
With the NWSL season nearing its end, all teams will try to do their best to improve their standings on the table. This means that teams will need all their players to keep going in this exciting race. Unfortunately, some setbacks are expected to happen, and Orlando Pride faced one of their own. Recently, the club announced that they placed their star forward, Barbra Banda, on the season-ending injury list.
How Was Barbra Banda Injured?
Barbra Banda’s season-ending injury took place when Orlando Pride was going up against Kansas City Current on August 16. In an official statement by the club, they said that she is suffering from a “full thickness avulsion of her right adductor longus tendon.” The injury is enough to make her miss the rest of the season. Now, Banda will have to begin a recovery and rehabilitation program. Healing would definitely take time.
This serious injury would leave quite an impact on Orlando Pride, and everyone there realizes that. “Barbra has been instrumental to our success and losing a player of her caliber is heartbreaking for the entire organization,” said Haley Carter, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director, according to their official website.
It is a terrible moment for the club, but Carter believes that Banda will be able to endure what’s coming next. “We are committed to providing her with the highest level of care and support throughout her recovery. Her contributions to this team both on and off the field have been immeasurable, and we know she will approach her rehabilitation with the same determination and professionalism she brings to everything she does,” she said.
Why is Barbra Banda Important?
Banda has been Orlando Pride’s own gem since she joined them last year. In 41 matches across all competitions, she managed to score 25 goals and register seven assists. One of these goals was the one that she scored in the season finale against the Washington Spirit. She was later named the NWSL Championship MVP. Her successes last season continued when she was named the African women’s player of the year and the BBC’s women’s footballer of the year. Fans hoped to see a repeat this season.
It seemed like Banda would also leave her mark this season because right before her injury happened, she had scored eight goals. She was even in the race for the Golden Boot as she is currently in the fourth position. Banda, who is a two-time Ballon d’Or nominee, could have done a lot more for the Pride if injury hadn’t hit her. Currently, the team sits in fifth position on the league table.
The Impact of Barbra Banda’s Injury on Orlando Pride
All these titles and records just show what an excellent player Barbra Banda is. Just like Carter said, Banda has determination, and that determination always translates into goals. She isn’t just the kind of player you depend on to score goals and finish games, but you also believe that she would give you her all from the beginning of the match till its end. Her consistency is something the Pride always needed and the opponents feared.
Orlando Pride might take some solace in their newest signing of Mexican international forward Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle. Ovalle is, of course, a great player, but just imagine how great the Pride would have been if she and Banda had played together rather than one replacing the other due to injury. The Mexican footballer is a good solution, but she might take some time to adapt to the NWSL and to create chemistry with her new teammates. Plus, now that Barbra Banda is not available, Ovalle might feel the pressure of fans expecting her to fill Banda’s shoes. This isn’t an easy task.
Banda’s absence is a huge blow to Orlando Pride’s hope of contending for the championship. Seb Hines will have to do even more to try to keep his ship sailing. It’s not just their hopes for the league that are now under threat, but they also have to keep in mind the future. In September, the team has Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup matches. They will have to move forward without Banda, which would be a tough challenge. Unfortunately for the team, based on this season’s numbers, Banda was the lifeline for their offense.
Orlando Pride Has a Chance To Survive
With Barbra Banda’s absence, Orlando Pride might suffer for a while until they can have a new plan in mind. They would need to find a way to make Banda’s injury hurt less, but they might want to do this quickly. While some might believe that this injury ends all of the Pride’s hopes for this season, things aren’t over yet. They have great talent on their roster, and Ovalle just joined them. Hines is also a great coach who will probably manage to find a solution for this setback. This is what makes champions. They don’t let setbacks evaporate their dreams. Banda will be missed, but it is time for Orlando Pride to prove that everyone on their team matters and not just Banda.
Image via @barbrabandaofficial
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