Orlando

Orlando City SC Acquires U.S. MNT Midfielder Sacha Kljestan

Published

6 years ago

January 3, 2018

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 3, 2018) – Orlando City SC acquires midfielder Sacha Kljestan and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for forward Carlos Rivas and defender Tommy Redding. Orlando City will retain a percentage of any future transfer of Rivas and Redding.

“We are thrilled to bring Sacha to Orlando,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said. “His ability to see the field and make the final pass will be huge assets for us. But more than that – he’s a winner. He’s won everywhere he’s gone, and we look forward to that continuing here.”

Kljestan joins the Lions following three standout seasons in New York. Kljestan played 97 regular season games for the Red Bulls since 2015 and his 51 assists since then are the most in the league. Kljestan scored 16 MLS goals for New York, led the league in assists in 2017 (17) and 2016 (20), and led the Red Bulls to the 2015 Supporters’ Shield. He also scored two goals in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2016.

Kljestan spent his first five seasons in MLS with Chivas USA from 2006-10, when he scored 15 goals and added 33 assists in 114 appearances before transferring to Belgian first division side RSC Anderlecht. In five years at Anderlecht, he scored 25 goals in 180 appearances across all competitions, helping the team win three consecutive league titles and four Belgian Super Cups.

The California native represented the United States at the U-20 and U-23 levels before making his senior international debut on June 2, 2007, when he earned an assist to help the U.S. to a 4-1 win over China. Kljestan has six goals in 51 senior appearances for the U.S. and also represented the U.S. at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Kljestan was an MLS All-Star in 2016 and was selected to the 2008 All-Star team, but chose to play in the Olympics instead. Kljestan was selected to the MLS Best XI in 2008 and 2016. In his eight years in MLS, Kljestan has played in seven MLS Cup Playoffs, scoring two goals and four assists in 17 appearances.

Rivas was one of the Club’s first three Designated Player signings ahead of its inaugural MLS season in 2015. The Colombian recorded eight goals and 13 assists in 42 starts among 78 MLS appearances. Redding was the team’s first MLS signing in March 2014 at age 17. The Oviedo, Fla., native made 31 starts among 38 MLS appearances for Orlando City.

“I want to thank Carlos and Tommy for all they’ve done for our Club,” Budalic added. “I would also like to recognize Tommy for the five years he spent with our organization from USL to MLS, and Carlos as well for being with us since the inaugural season in 2015.”

TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC acquires Sacha Kljestan and $150,000 TAM in exchange for Carlos Rivas and Tommy Redding. Orlando City will retain a percentage of any future transfer of Rivas and Redding.

Name: Sacha Bryan Kljestan (Sasha Kles-chen)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Birth Date: Sept. 9, 1985
Birthplace: Anaheim, Calif.
Citizenship: USA

Florida

Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

1 month ago

March 10, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Golf

Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions

Published

3 months ago

January 21, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Lydia Ko win the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Lake Nona resident, Lydia Ko, has won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, while Mets All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, has won the celebrities and amateurs competition. The four day tournament wrapped up Sunday. Ko takes home $225,000 of the $1.5 million prize pool, while baseball player McNeil wins $100,000 of the $500,000 designated for the athletes and entertainers.

Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Ko finished at -14, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, finished third at ten under par. McNeil ended with 138 points using the Modified Stableford scoring system, in his first time competing in this tournament. Annika Sorenstam finished in second place amongst the celebrity golfers, with 136. Former Major League Baseball pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder tied for third place at 135.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions also announced today that they have extended their agreement with the LPGA to continue this tournament at Lake Nona for another five years, with a 65% increase in the prize pool money.

Stay tuned to Florida National News for more, and be sure to follow our Florida National News page on Facebook for more photos and videos from the tournament.

Golf

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Returns to Lake Nona

Published

3 months ago

January 17, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is back at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando Thursday, 1/18 through Sunday, 1/21. This tournament kicks off the LPGA Tour’s 74th season, featuring top women golfers, who have qualified by winning a tournament in 2022 or 2023, playing alongside celebrities from the world of sports, entertainment, and music.

Annika Sorenstam practices on the driving range for the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Comedy fans can watch Larry The Cable Guy entertain the crowd with his one-liners and banter. “Fresh Prince” fans can tune in to Alfonso Ribeiro in hopes of seeing him dance “The Carlton.” Bachelor fans can follow Ben Higgins or Wells Adams to see if they’re passing out any roses.

Sports fans can see some true legends in a different light. Basketball fans can look for Vince Carter, Ray Allen, or Chandler Parsons. Baseball fans can watch for John Smoltz, Albert Pujols, or Roger Clemens. Football fans will find Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Woodson.

You’ll find many other actors, musicians, and champions of various sports. If you’d like to watch some fun golf while also celebrity spotting, be sure to visit the tournament’s website to get your tickets, and to see who else will be playing this year.