Sports
Legendary Marta, Orlando Pride Secure NWSL Championship Spot Defeating Kansas City Current 3-2
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Pride, led by the iconic Marta, edged out the Kansas City Current 3-2 at Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday, earning their first-ever trip to the NWSL Championship. Their victory sets the stage for a high-stakes matchup against the Washington Spirit on November 23 at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.
Marta, Orlando Pride defeats Kansas City Current in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, November 17, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Match Highlights
- Debinha struck first for Kansas City in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a precise assist from Michelle Cooper, giving the Current an early 1-0 lead.
- Haley McCutcheon equalized in the 41st minute, finishing a superb pass from Ally Watt, who earned her third playoff assist, a historic tie for second-most all-time in the league.
- Barbra Banda’s remarkable postseason continued with a 53rd-minute strike, her third goal in these playoffs, securing her place as one of only three players in league history to achieve such a feat in a single postseason.
- Marta delivered the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute, showcasing her signature finesse and composure under pressure. Assisted by Banda, she weaved through Kansas City defenders and bypassed goalkeeper Almuth Schult to seal the Pride’s win.
Kansas City fought valiantly, pulling one back in stoppage time with a Vanessa DiBernardo penalty kick, but Orlando’s resilience held firm.
Barbra Banda’s remarkable postseason. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Takeaways
- Marta’s brilliance: As one of the world’s most decorated footballers, Marta’s decisive contributions underscore her enduring impact, even at the pinnacle of playoff competition.
- Banda’s historic postseason: Banda’s three goals and an assist solidify her role as the Pride’s postseason star.
- Ally Watt’s playmaking prowess: Watt’s consistent offensive setup has been a cornerstone of the Pride’s playoff success.
Coach Seb Hines’ Reaction
“It’s surreal. This team has worked tirelessly all season, from securing the Shield to hosting playoff matches and now advancing to the Championship. We’re one step closer to history, and the team’s belief is stronger than ever,” said Hines post-match.
Orlando Pride fans celebrated a historic victory over the Kansas City Current, securing a coveted spot in the NWSL Championship. The team’s resilience and Marta’s leadership fueled the 3-2 win. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.
Impact of the Victory
This win cements the Pride’s rise as a powerhouse in women’s soccer, following their best season in club history. The team’s remarkable achievements this year, including the NWSL Shield and two playoff wins at home, have electrified the Orlando community and drawn national attention.
Stats Recap
- Possession: ORL 48% / KC 52%
- Shots on Goal: ORL 5 / KC 4
- Attendance: 14,524 at Inter&Co Stadium
Next Stop: The Championship
The Pride face a formidable Washington Spirit team in Kansas City on November 23 at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game live on CBS and Paramount+.
Javier Garcia and Harry Castiblanco contributed to this report
Florida National News and FNN News Network
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Davison scores 26 points, Branham adds 23 and Osceola records 23 steals to open its season with a victory at Silver Spurs Arena.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Osceola Magic opened their season with a record-setting defensive performance, collecting 23 steals and forcing 35 turnovers in a 97-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Silver Spurs Arena.
JD Davison scored a game-high 26 points and Malaki Branham added 23 as Osceola established a franchise record for steals and matched its record for opponent turnovers. Osceola Magic
Defense drives the comeback
Oklahoma City led 31-22 after the first quarter and 44-43 at halftime. Osceola pulled even at 70 entering the fourth quarter, then outscored the Blue 27-19 over the final period.
The victory gave Osceola a 1-0 start and dropped Oklahoma City to 0-2. Zhaire Smith led the Blue with 19 points, while Christoph Tilly contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. gleague.nba.com
Osceola’s defensive pressure helped offset Oklahoma City’s early advantage. The Blue finished just 5 of 29 from 3-point range, shooting 17.2%.
Six Magic players recorded multiple steals, led by Johnell Davis’ career-high six — one short of the franchise record. Davison collected four, Jarron Cumberland had three, and Ace Baldwin Jr., Branham and Mike Sharavjamts each added two.
Malaki Branham leans into his drive while keeping his dribble low as an Oklahoma City Blue defender guards him during the Osceola Magic’s season opener. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.
Davison and Branham lead the offense
Davison and Branham combined for 49 points, accounting for more than half of Osceola’s scoring.
Au’Diese Toney contributed 14 points in his return to Osceola, including a late 3-pointer that helped secure the victory.
Davis provided another boost off the bench with 11 points and a career-best-tying four assists, complementing his disruptive defensive performance.
Sharavjamts makes professional debut
Sharavjamts posted a team-best plus-12 rating in 24 minutes during his professional debut. Osceola outscored Oklahoma City by 12 points while he was on the floor. Osceola Magic
What’s next for the Osceola Magic?
Following a scheduled road matchup with the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Osceola returns to Silver Spurs Arena to host the Mexico City Capitanes on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Member News
The Magic’s challenge will be to sustain the defensive pressure that helped them overcome an early nine-point deficit in the opener.
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
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