NWSL · NWSL · Est. 2015 · Inter&Co Stadium
Updated March 16, 2026
Orlando Pride's 2024 Shield-and-Cup double was one of the most dominant seasons in NWSL history, and the target on their back entering 2026 is enormous. Head coach Seb Hines has kept the core intact, with Barbra Banda, Marta, and Adriana anchoring an attack that scored a league-best 52 goals last season. The question is not whether they're the favorites—it's whether anyone can catch them.
The greatest women's player of all time has confirmed that 2026 will be her final professional season. At 40, Marta's legs have slowed but her vision and technical ability remain otherworldly. Orlando is planning a season-long celebration, and every away match will feel like a victory lap. The six-time FIFA Best winner wants one more trophy before she walks away for good.
Barbra Banda's 2024 was sensational—19 goals, 7 assists, and a Championship MVP award—and the Zambian international is now firmly in the conversation for the best player on the planet. A strong 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle combined with another prolific NWSL campaign could make her the first African woman to win the Ballon d'Or. Orlando's system is built to maximize her strengths, and she shows no signs of slowing down.