Orlando Pride overwhelming defense frustrates NJ/NY Gotham FC | OneFootball

Orlando Pride got a clean sheet against NJ/NY Gotham FC without overwhelming the club. Instead, they frustrated their opponent and supporters for 90 minutes.

It was a high-pressure exercise on the pitch for the Orlando Pride as they earned a 2-0 clean sheet against NJ/NY Gotham FC in an away game. The Pride prepared to reach a higher plateau in 2025 after winning the NWSL Shield and Championship in 2024.

They’ve now demonstrated the players can execute any type of game they want.

It was a monumentally frustrating home match for Gotham from the very beginning. In an attack in the second minute, Marta crossed the ball toward the NJ/NY net. Barbra Banda headed it toward the goal but it resulted in an Own Goal by defender Lilly Reale.

Team Captain Marta also factored in the second score on a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time.

The clean sheet records the 22nd regular-season shutout for Pride netminder Anna Moorehouse. This ties former Pride keeper Ashlyn Harris for the 10th most all-time in NWSL history. This is also the first team in team history that they haven’t conceded a goal in their first two matches.

While the Pride didn’t overwhelm Gotham using power or speed, their defensive mastery on the NJ/NY pitch devasted both the home team and their supporters. So they resorted to loudly rehashing last year’s slurs against Barbra Banda broadcast across media by author J.K. Rowling.

Mar 23, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (22) kicks the ball as Gotham FC defender Tierna Davidson (15) defends during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Rowling briefly amplified ongoing criticism after Banda won the BBC Footballer of the Year award. Several players including Banda were kept off the Zambia roster in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. Officials reported that testosterone levels for these players were outside the limits of the Confederation of African Football.

Gotham authorities quickly shut down the recent eruption. Team and league officials have condemned the outbursts. Banda hasn’t had any other incidents preventing her from participating in the pitch. To her credit, she has never retaliated against these slurs.

All Barbra Banda has done is all she can to contribute to Orlando Pride wins. That includes dominating performances such as this one against NJ/NY Gotham FC.