Sports
Barbra Banda Wins Heineken Star of the Match, Orlando Pride Advance to First NWSL Championship
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Pride secured their spot in the NWSL Championship with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Current at Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday. Star forward Barbra Banda was named the Heineken Star of the Match after a standout performance that included a goal and an assist, solidifying her position as one of the team’s most valuable players this postseason.
Match Highlights
The Pride delivered a strong performance, overcoming the defensive challenges posed by Kansas City to clinch the historic win:
- Haley McCutcheon’s equalizer: Following an early Kansas City lead, McCutcheon struck in the 41st minute, tying the game 1-1 with an assist from Ally Watt.
- Banda’s brilliance: Banda’s 53rd-minute goal showcased her clinical finishing ability, giving the Pride a crucial 2-1 advantage.
- Marta’s magic: In the 82nd minute, Marta demonstrated her legendary skills with a breathtaking goal, sealing the victory for Orlando.
Coach and Player Reactions
Head Coach Seb Hines
On the team’s journey:
“It’s great. Take a deep breath now, but it’s great. You put all the hard work and effort into it, obviously, in the regular season… We’ve done two of it, and there’s one more to go. The spirits are really high right now, and we’re ready to go on Saturday.”
On Kansas City’s tactics:
“No, they sat back, waited for transition moments… I thought in moments we were really good. The first goal was brilliant. Ally Watt dribbling and driving, great cross, and [Haley] McCutcheon scores a goal. She’s two and two right now—what an effort from the players.”
On Marta’s goal:
“It’s up there. She’s chopping, chopping again, and another chop… There are not many players that can do that. She’s worked so hard for this point.”
Barbra Banda Wins Heineken Star of the Match: Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Forward Barbra Banda
On the team’s achievement:
“It’s amazing, and I think we deserve it as a team. We really worked so hard for it. Our mindset starting from training has been looking to go to the finals.”
On her first NWSL season:
“It has been an amazing season for me. Winning the Shield with the team and going to the finals… I’ve contributed to the team, so I’m happy for that and hoping to continue next season.”
Defender Emily Sams
On the emotional victory:
“I was close to tears out there on the field. Just the fact that Marta scored that third goal and this whole season is for Marta and Luana.”
On the team’s progress:
“It’s so special to be a part of that. To be part of coming in as a rookie and hearing the past and the history of Orlando… and, of course, how we’ve done so well this year. I’m so happy to be able to give back to Orlando.”
Barbra Banda Wins Heineken Star of the Match: Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Impact of the Victory
The Pride’s win signifies a major milestone for the team, who have risen from league underdogs to championship contenders. With their first NWSL Shield and a chance to claim the Championship title, the Pride are rewriting their history while thrilling fans and inspiring the next generation of players.
What’s Next
The Pride will face the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Championship on Saturday, November 23, at 8 p.m. ET at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. Fans can catch the game live on CBS and Paramount+.
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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