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Photo Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Current’s mid-August matchup at home against the Orlando Pride was the blockbuster fixture of the back end of the National Women’s Soccer League season. It was the latest meeting in a burgeoning rivalry that promised great entertainment, given the superstar names on each team. The game unfortunately turned into a cagey 0-0 draw, likely due in part to the triple-digit heat index that ultimately delayed kickoff for more than three hours.
The match wasn’t without its moments, none more so than the season-ending injury to Barbra Banda that overshadowed proceedings for Orlando Pride. Banda exited the contest early in the first half, which swung momentum away from Orlando. Banda was able to walk down the tunnel and later appeared on the bench smiling next to defender Rafaelle, but now that we know that her race is run, questions must be asked about Pride’s attacking output in general without their star striker. All in all, how did they fare against KC Current, and what does the transfer of Lizbeth Ovalle give them in Banda’s absence?
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