Orlando Pride secures NWSL playoff spot with 22-game unbeaten streak

Orlando Pride is living an historic moment in the NWSL in 2024 under the command of Seb Hines, but the narrow victory over Bay FC, 1-0, allowed this team to extend their unbeaten streak to an amazing mark of 22 games and also to secure a home game in the quarterfinals. Much more revealing than just numbers and broken records was the performance on the pitch. It's a story of resilience, adaptation, and above all how the Pride is shaping the landscape of women's soccer.

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The Goal That Sealed the Win: Barbra Banda

If one name has made headlines related to Orlando Pride this season, then it is Barbra Banda. A forward from Cameroon, she has proved to be a real nightmare for any defense that comes in front of her, and her game-winning goal against Bay FC just cements that. In the 84', Banda rose high to connect with a perfect cross from Carson Pickett on the left side, sending the ball into the back of the net. The clinical header was Banda's 13th goal of the season, tying the club record set by the legendary Marta, and also her sixth game-winner of 2024, matching the NWSL record.

It wasn't just a milestone for Banda and the Pride, but a symbol of the team's offensive efficiency. Even when the squad is not apparently at its best-as Hines admitted they were-they find ways to create those decisive moments. Seb Hines emphasized, "I don't think we played our best today, but we walked away with three points. That's what matters at this stage of the season.".

Impenetrable Defense: Anna Moorhouse and the Pride Wall

But while the offense dazzles, Orlando Pride's defense is in a class of its own this season. At its core is goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who has turned into an impenetrable wall. Moorhouse not only recorded her 12th shutout of the season to break the NWSL single-season record but made six crucial saves against Bay FC. She played in large part to securing yet another victory to extend the team's streak without conceding a goal to 501 minutes.

This has been an integral part of Pride's season so far: a strong defense that has refused to yield, blocking and frustrating opposing team attacks in easy wins and hard-fought battles like the one with Bay FC. The face of this resilience might have been Moorhouse, but credit is due for the defensive line in front of her-players such as Carson Pickett-who continue to support the attack while closing up spaces at the back.

Seb Hines' Role: Leadership and Constant Evolution

With the arrival of Seb Hines as head coach for Orlando Pride, many were unclear how he would bear the pressure and expectations stitched onto the team. Fast forward, with 15 wins, 6 draws, and zero losses, he seems like just the right strategist to lead this lot of women. The 22-game unbeaten streak is an impressive feat on its own, but that doesn't impress Hines. He knows there is still room for improvement, even though the team has been breaking records and blowing out opponents.

This, Hines made clear in his post-match interview after the Bay FC game: "Even while unbeaten, we're still learning. It's important not to get comfortable; we have to keep evolving. Every game teaches us something new, even when we win." And it could just be that mindset of continuous evolution that places Orlando Pride as serious contenders for the title.

What's Next for Playoffs

Orlando Pride, having locked a top-four finish with the advantage of home-field in the NWSL quarterfinals, knows how to win-from complete domination in some games to finding ways to secure three points in difficult matchups.

With the playoffs looming, Pride is back, ready for business, with a tight backline and razor-sharp attack, while a coach instills in his players the demand for the best during every match.