1. A special win on a special night. The Orlando Pride honored the 10th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, while the team went out and got all three points on home turf, winning 3-1 over Bay FC.
2. It was a hot and humid night, and the game, after an hour rain delay, started just as hot for the Pride. Just four minutes in, Barbra Banda was back on the scoresheet, scoring her 10th goal of the season. After some good pressing by Orlando, Luana was able to get her head on a ball and play it into the box, where Banda was waiting. After jostling with her defender, she was able to out-muscle her and get a quick shot away, which hit the back of the net.
3. The press itself was something that was talked about after the match. Orlando wanted to start the match with intention, pinning Bay back from the first kick of the match. It was something the team had talked about doing, especially at home, to try and make Inter&Co Stadium a fortress.
4. Unfortunately for Orlando, the advantage didn't last long. Just three minutes later, Bay were able to get back to level terms. A chipped ball by Claire Hutton was headed right into the path of Caroline Conti, who struck it well and beat Anna Moorhouse to level the game.
5. The first half came and went with the score remaining the same. The half waned a bit as it went on, which Cori Dyke alluded to after the game. Even so, the team was able to see things out into halftime still tied up at 1-1.
6. Then the second half came and changed things for the better. Within five minutes, Banda was getting on the scoresheet again. A perfect through ball by Summer Yates opened up Banda into space. After a few dribbles toward goal, she rounded the keeper and patiently waited for the defender, before passing it into the back of the net to put the Pride up a goal once again.
7. Then, four minutes later, it was Banda assisting on the third goal. Some great play from the Zambian forward allowed her to get space in the box for her to turn and fire a pass across the box to Cori Dyke, who was waiting unmarked. After a quick touch, she fired a stinging shot up onto the bottom of the crossbar, kissing it into the back of the net. It was a serendipitous goal for Dyke, who scored her first pro goal almost one year to the day back on June 7, 2025, a game-winner against the Houston Dash.
8. The Pride were able to see out the game, but not without a bit of drama. Banda went down with an injury with 10 minutes left in the game. At that point, Orlando was without subs and had to play down a player for the remainder of the game. The defense held firm and was able to see out a much-needed three points.
9. The three points were more important with the significane of the match. With the game itself honoring the 10-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, the win meant so much more for the city of Orlando. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines, who played for Orlando City 10 years ago during that time, spoke about it after the match: "Some things are bigger than football. We're representing the city in days like this and you could see that with the effort and the commitment to the players they fully showed throughout the game. It was more than just winning three points and winning against Bay. You could see that it meant a lot to them tonight."
10. Orlando will have a month-long break before they get back to action, when they'll play Angel City FC out in California on July 3.
