Sports
NWSL Champions Orlando Pride Makes History with Record-Setting 6-0 Victory Over Chicago Stars FC
Published
1 year agoon
By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Pride (1-0-0, 3 points) kicked off their 2025 NWSL regular season in dominant fashion, defeating Chicago Stars FC (0-1-0, 0 points) 6-0 on Friday night at Inter&Co Stadium. The commanding win set a new NWSL record for the most goals scored in an opening weekend match.
Prior to kickoff, the Pride celebrated their 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship victories by unveiling their championship banners in front of a roaring home crowd.
Banda Leads the Charge
Forward Barbra Banda played a pivotal role in the Pride’s historic performance, scoring two goals and assisting on another. Banda’s late-game brace cemented her as the team’s top scorer to start the season and marked her fifth career NWSL brace. With her performance, Banda has now tied Marta’s Club record for matches with at least one goal and one assist, each achieving the feat four times.
Scoring Breakdown
7′ – Haley McCutcheon (Morgan Gautrat) – ORL 1, CHI 0
The Pride opened their scoring with Haley McCutcheon finishing a clean pass from Morgan Gautrat just seven minutes into the match. The goal marked the fastest scored in a Pride home opener.
36′ – Ally Watt (Marta) – ORL 2, CHI 0
Ally Watt capitalized on a well-placed cross from Marta, heading the ball into the back corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
47′ – Hannah Anderson (OG) – ORL 3, CHI 0
A defensive miscue by Chicago’s Hannah Anderson resulted in an own goal after a deflected pass from Banda.
65′ – Julie Doyle (Barbra Banda) – ORL 4, CHI 0
Just minutes after entering the game, Julie Doyle scored her first goal of the season off a pinpoint cross from Banda.
80′ – Barbra Banda – ORL 5, CHI 0
Banda showcased her skill by weaving through two defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
87′ – Barbra Banda – ORL 6, CHI 0
Banda intercepted a pass and fired a powerful shot from outside the box to seal the record-setting victory.
Key Performances and Stats
- Barbra Banda led the scoring with two goals and one assist. She now shares the Club record with Marta for most matches with both a goal and an assist (4).
- Haley McCutcheon scored her third career NWSL goal and her second with Orlando Pride.
- Marta extended her Club record to 20 assists across all competitions.
- Morgan Gautrat recorded her first assist in a Pride uniform.
- The Pride’s 7th-minute goal was the fastest scored in a home opener in club history.
- Orlando recorded 26 shots to Chicago’s 8, showcasing offensive dominance.
Coach Seb Hines’ Comments
“It’s a good start to the year, especially with the celebration at the start and the banners being unveiled. The priority was winning tonight and starting strong. Scoring six goals in the NWSL is a massive achievement. It’s been a really good day for all of us.”
Match Stats
Possession: ORL – 63.6% | CHI – 36.4%
Shots: ORL – 26 | CHI – 8
Saves: ORL – 2 | CHI – 3
Fouls: ORL – 8 | CHI – 9
Corners: ORL – 13 | CHI – 3
Heineken Star of the Match: Ally Watt
Next Match
The Orlando Pride will travel to face NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, March 23, at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.
Sports
GM Brands Dominate Detroit as Cadillac and Corvette Capture IMSA Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic Wins
Published
1 week agoon
May 31, 2026DETROIT (FNN SPORTS) — Cadillac and Chevrolet celebrated a historic hometown sweep Saturday as both General Motors brands captured class victories in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic.
Competing in the shadow of General Motors’ Renaissance Center headquarters along the Detroit Riverwalk, the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Jack Aitken and Earl Bamber dominated the 100-minute race to secure the overall victory and Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class win.
In Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO), Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims powered the No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette Z06 GT3.R to victory, giving Chevrolet a celebrated win on its home turf.
Cadillac Continues Detroit Dominance
The No. 31 Cadillac controlled the race from start to finish, executing a near-flawless performance in front of General Motors executives, employees, and supporters.
The victory marked Cadillac’s fifth IMSA triumph in Detroit, adding to previous wins in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The result also extended the No. 31 team’s streak to seven consecutive GTP podium finishes.
“To do it here at the home of GM and Cadillac with so many friends and family with us, my team absolutely nailed it,” Aitken said after the race.
The No. 25 BMW M Team WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 finished second in class, while the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R completed the GTP podium.
Meanwhile, the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06 earned the IMSA Michelin Sustainability in Racing Award with its fourth-place finish.
Corvette Capitalizes on Late-Race Drama
While Cadillac’s victory was largely under control, the GTD PRO race featured significant late-race drama.
Garcia nearly lost the lead when Jack Hawksworth attempted a pass entering Turn 1 in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3. Contact between the two cars triggered a penalty against Hawksworth, whose Lexus received a drive-through penalty for incident responsibility.
Despite the pressure, Garcia maintained control on the final restart to secure his first IMSA victory in Detroit and the 32nd IMSA win of his career.
“Super happy to be in victory lane in Chevrolet land,” Garcia said. “I think all the big bosses will be very happy, as we are. It was a fantastic drive by Alex, who put the car on pole and opened a big gap early.”
The late-race chaos opened the door for the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini Temerario GT3 driven by Andrea Caldarelli and Sandy Mitchell to earn the new car’s first podium finish in second place.
The No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3 driven by Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch rounded out the GTD PRO podium in third.
Championship Battle Tightens Heading to Watkins Glen
Both class winners started from the Motul Pole Award position and successfully converted pole into victory despite two late caution periods that reshuffled the field and intensified competition during the closing laps.
The victory unofficially moves Aitken into the lead of the GTP championship standings, while the No. 4 Corvette pairing of Nicky Catsburg and Tommy Milner maintains the GTD PRO points lead, though by a reduced margin.
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns June 28 for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International, one of the premier endurance races on the North American sports car calendar.
Sports
Dolphins Announce Free 2026 NFL Draft Watch Parties in Fort Lauderdale and Miami
Published
2 months agoon
April 16, 2026By
FNN SPORTSMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Miami Dolphins will host their 2026 NFL Draft Party presented by Bud Light on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. ET, offering fans two locations across South Florida to watch the first round of the NFL Draft.
The free events will take place at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale and Regatta Grove, providing fans in Broward and Miami-Dade counties an opportunity to gather and celebrate as the draft unfolds.
DRAFT PARTY DETAILS AND FAN EXPERIENCE
Te events are free and open to the public, with fans encouraged to reserve their spots in advance due to limited capacity. Activities will include interactive games, giveaways, photo opportunities, and appearances by the Dolphins mascot and cheerleaders.
Both venues will also feature live panel discussions with current players and team alumni, offering insight, analysis and personal stories related to the draft.
Season ticket members will receive select complimentary food and beverage offerings during the event.
DOLPHINS’ STRONG DRAFT POSITION
Miami enters the 2026 NFL Draft with significant capital, holding 11 total selections, including two first-round picks at Nos. 11 and 30.
The team also holds a second-round pick (No. 43), four third-round selections (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94), a fourth-round pick (No. 130), a fifth-round pick (No. 151) and two seventh-round picks (Nos. 227 and 238).
With seven selections in the top 100, this marks one of the franchise’s most anticipated drafts in recent years.
COUNTDOWN TO THE NFL DRAFT
The draft party marks the start of the team’s one-week countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft, as fans prepare to see how Miami builds its roster for the upcoming season.
The dual-location format is designed to expand fan access and engagement across South Florida, bringing together supporters for a shared viewing experience.
Sports
Las Vegas to Host Super Bowl LXIII at Allegiant Stadium in 2029, NFL Announces
Published
2 months agoon
March 30, 2026By
Willie DavidNEW YORK (FNN SPORTS) — The National Football League announced that Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LXIII in 2029 at Allegiant Stadium, marking the second time the city will stage the league’s championship game.
The announcement was made during the NFL’s Annual Meeting in Phoenix, following a review by the league’s Fan Engagement & Major Events Committee and a vote by NFL team owners.
“We’re excited to bring the Super Bowl back to Las Vegas and provide our fans another incredible experience in one of America’s greatest sports and entertainment destinations,” said Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL. “Super Bowl LVIII demonstrated the scale, energy and hospitality the city brings to global events, and we look forward to working alongside the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Raiders and the community to deliver an even greater experience this time around.”
LAS VEGAS RETURNS AS SUPER BOWL HOST
The 2029 championship will mark the second Super Bowl hosted in Las Vegas. The city debuted as a Super Bowl host in 2024 with Super Bowl LVIII, which attracted more than 330,000 visitors and generated over $1 billion in economic impact, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
“We’re proud the NFL has selected Las Vegas to host Super Bowl LXIII,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the LVCVA. “Our first Super Bowl showcased the unique energy and scale only this destination can offer, bringing together world-class sports, entertainment and hospitality in one place. Las Vegas was built for moments like this, and we look forward to delivering another exceptional experience for fans in 2029.”
RAIDERS, COMMUNITY PREPARE FOR GLOBAL EVENT
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said the return of the Super Bowl reflects the success of the city’s first hosting effort and the collaboration between the NFL, local leaders and the community.
“It’s a testament to the Raiders, the LVCVA, civic leaders, the community and the NFL working together,” Davis said. “Super Bowl LVIII set a high bar, and for Super Bowl LXIII we are committed to raising it even further.”
FAN EXPERIENCES AND HOSPITALITY PROGRAMS
In the lead-up to Super Bowl LXIII, Las Vegas will host a series of major events across the metropolitan area, including NFL Honors, Super Bowl Experience, and Super Bowl Opening Night, along with community initiatives such as NFL Source, the league’s procurement program supporting local and underrepresented businesses.
Meanwhile, On Location, the NFL’s official hospitality partner, has launched its Priority Access deposit program for Super Bowl LXIII hospitality packages. The program offers fans early access to premium seating, exclusive entertainment, luxury hospitality experiences and other curated game-day packages.