Barbra Banda quickly turns NWSL into her personal playground

The Zambia international is already making NWSL history early in her Pride career

It’s only been three games, but it already seems like the NWSL hasn’t seen a new addition like Barbra Banda in quite some time.

Banda became the second-most expensive transfer ever in the women’s game when she joined the Orlando Pride in March. Whatever the expectations that came along with that hefty fee, Banda has shown in a week that they weren’t high enough.

The Zambia international made just her second start for the Pride on Wednesday and completely eviscerated the North Carolina Courage — a team that had been among the league’s best in the early season.

Banda scored twice and added an assist, making it a NWSL-record five goal contributions in her first two starts. She is also the first player in NWSL history to record a goal and an assist in each of her first two career starts.

But the stats only tell half the story.

Banda’s assist on Ally Watt’s opener was a play that showcased her devastating combination of speed, vision and a delicate final touch to tie it all together.

“One thing I know, if Barbra’s running towards the goal, you better be up there with her,” Watt said after the game. “She played a beautifully weighted ball into my run, and I knew I had to put it on goal, put it on frame, so I just did that. It was probably one of my easier goals I’ve scored. So, yeah, Barbra played an amazing ball in.”

From there, Banda would net a brace of her own to help Orlando win its fourth straight match, underlining its credentials as one of the NWSL’s top teams in the early season.

The scary thing? Banda has only been present for three of the Pride’s seven (undefeated) matches so far, starting just two.

Perhaps the league will start to figure out a more effective way to stop the Zambia star. Or maybe Banda will grow increasingly comfortable in her new surroundings, making herself an MVP candidate and the Pride a legitimate title contender.

It’s early, but we’re betting on the latter right now.

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