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League honors Orlando Pride performances that drive this post-season

• Stellar performances drove the team into the post-season
• Continued execution will win it all
• Regular season work set records

By Chuck Wharton

Nov 17, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) and Kansas City Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo (16) battle for the ball in a NWSL playoff semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) and Kansas City Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo (16) battle for the ball in a NWSL playoff semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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Heading further into the 2024 NWSL playoffs, Orlando Pride members gather more honors to take with them to the pitch.

Orlando Pride players have been named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI. They take these honors with them to each pitch as they work their way deeper into the NWSL playoffs.

Five Pride players got the Best XI honors. The honors result from votes by the players (40%), owners/GMs/coaches (25%), media (25%), and fans (10%). Pride defender Emily Sams, midfielder Marta, and forward Barbra Banda won first team honors. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and defender Kerry Abello made the second team.

Sams played in all but one Pride match during the regular season. She started 24 games, including 13 shutouts. The club led the league in that category and set a league record with 554 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

Sams’ monthly Best XI honors came in May, Sept., and Oct./Nov.

Pride Captain Marta scored nine goals and an assist during the regular season. She also scored in the first two playoff matches. She has tallied 82.11% passing accuracy with 35 dribbles and 17 tackles.

She earned a Best XI position in September.

Barbra Banda
Nov 17, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (22) in action against the Kansas City Current in a NWSL playoff semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

 Barbra Banda led all players with 86 shots on the season – 48 on target – and was also on top with six header scores. Early into this NWSL post-season, she has already become the first player in league history to score three goals in a single post-season.

Anna Moorhouse earned 13 clean sheets during the regular season, which set both club and league records. She led the league in save percentage at 81.13% and was second with .769 goals-against-average.

She won Best XI in June and Sept.

Kerry Abello was on the league Best XI teams in July and Aug.

She was the only Pride player to make every match during the 2024 season. Her 33 tackles and 23 interceptions were vital during the team’s 23-match unbeaten streak – the longest in NWSL history. She scored a goal, made two assists, and completed 23 dribbles.

The continued stellar performance of these five players and their teammates will propel the Orlando Pride deep into this NWSL post-season. The efforts will earn the team the championship.

They’ll win it all.

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