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NWSL Champions Orlando Pride Makes History with Record-Setting 6-0 Victory Over Chicago Stars FC

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Barbra Banda showcased her skill by weaving through two defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper, Friday, March 14, 2025, Orlando, Florida. Photo Florida National News / Harry Castiblanco
Barbra Banda showcased her skill by weaving through two defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper, Friday, March 14, 2025, Orlando, Florida. Photo Florida National News / Harry Castiblanco

ORLANDO, 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.

 

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Jahmyr Gibbs, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Nathan Shepherd Earn NFC Player of the Week Honors for Week 10

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NEW YORK, N.Y. (FNN SPORTS) – The National Football League (NFL) has announced its NFC Players of the Week for Week 10 (November 6, 9–10), recognizing standout performances from Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Seattle Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence, and New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd.

OFFENSE: RB JAHMYR GIBBS, DETROIT LIONS

Gibbs exploded for 172 scrimmage yards (142 rushing, 30 receiving) and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Lions’ 44-22 victory over Washington.

He led the NFC in scrimmage yards, rushing yards, rushing average (9.5 yards per carry), and touchdowns for the week. This marks Gibbs’ second career NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor (previously Week 14, 2024).

Gibbs joins quarterback Jared Goff (Week 2) as the second Lion to earn the offensive award this season. He is also the second Detroit running back—after Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (11-time winner)—to win multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.

A proud Alabama Crimson Tide alumnus, Gibbs becomes the fifth Alabama running back to earn multiple Player of the Week honors, joining Derrick Henry, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram, and Eddie Lacy.

DEFENSE: LB DEMARCUS LAWRENCE, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Lawrence turned in a dominant defensive performance in Seattle’s 44-22 win over Arizona, tallying four tackles, two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns, one tackle for loss, and half a sack.

He became just the third player in NFL history to return two fumbles for touchdowns in a single game, joining Jeremy Chinn (2020) and Fred Evans (1948).

This marks Lawrence’s second career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award (first in Week 3, 2017). He is the first Seahawk to win since Leonard Williams (Week 13, 2024) and the first Seattle linebacker since Uchenna Nwosu (Week 1, 2022).

Lawrence is also the first former Boise State player to win multiple Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining Jay Ajayi as the only other Bronco to win multiple Player of the Week awards.

SPECIAL TEAMS: DT NATHAN SHEPHERD, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Shepherd made his mark on special teams, blocking a crucial field goal attempt that preserved the Saints’ 10-7 lead in the third quarter of their 17-7 win over Carolina—the only field goal block in the NFL during Week 10.

He added two tackles and a sack, contributing to a Saints defense that shut out the Panthers in the second half.

This is Shepherd’s first career Special Teams Player of the Week award, and he becomes only the second defensive lineman in Saints history to earn the honor (joining Bryan Bresee, Week 14, 2024). Shepherd is also the first player from Fort Hays State to ever win an NFL Player of the Week award.

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Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride Partner with The Ruckus to Host Community Food Drive

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USA U 17 Mens National Team Tops Group At 2025 FIFAf U 17 World Cup Advances To Knockout Stage Against Morocco

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DOHA, Qatar (FNN SPORTS) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team continued its impressive run at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, clinching the top spot in Group I with a 1-0 win over Czechia at Aspire Zone Pitch 4. Substitute Mathis Albert’s 78th-minute goal sealed the victory, giving the USA a perfect 3-0-0 record in group play — the program’s best start in 34 years.

Ranked third overall among group winners, the USA will face Morocco—who finished third in Group B—in the Round of 32 on November 14 or 15. FIFA is expected to confirm the official match date and time by Wednesday.

Albert’s Late Goal Seals Historic Win

With the group title within reach, head coach Gonzalo Segares rotated seven players from the starting lineup that defeated Tajikistan 2-1. Despite early pressure from Czechia, including a 14th-minute shot that hit the post, the Americans steadily grew into the match.

In the second half, substitute Mathis Albert brought new energy down the left wing, linking well with playmaker Máximo Carrizo. Their chemistry paid off in the 78th minute when Albert received a through ball from Carrizo, slipped behind the Czech defense, and calmly slotted home the decisive goal into the lower right corner.

The U.S. defense held firm despite a late red card to Mateo Tsakiris in stoppage time, preserving its second clean sheet of the tournament.

Milestones and Match Highlights

  • Historic Achievement: The victory marks the first time in 20 years—and only the fourth time overall—that the U.S. has won its group at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (previously in 1991, 1999, and 2005).

  • Perfect Record: It’s just the second time ever the U.S. U-17s have won all three group-stage matches, matching the 1991 squad’s feat.

  • Key Performances: Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes anchored a strong back line, recording two shutouts in three matches. Carrizo tallied his first assist of the tournament, while Albert netted his first U-17 World Cup goal.

  • Discipline: Tsakiris received a red card in stoppage time after a VAR review and will miss the Round of 32 match.

FINAL SCORE:

USA 1 – Czechia 0
Goal: Mathis Albert (78′)
Assist: Máximo Carrizo

The U.S. U-17s now turn their focus to the knockout stage, where they’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak and push deeper into the tournament.

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