Sports

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

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2025

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

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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Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Fall to 0-2 Under Sean Sweeney After 115-93 Loss to Timberwolves

Published

5 days ago

October 24, 2026

FNN NEWS

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, wearing a white No. 5 jersey, dribbles while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards defends in a blue uniform.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93, dropping the Magic to 0-2. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Shooting struggles and a costly third quarter leave Orlando winless through two games under first-year coach Sean Sweeney
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — A new coaching era has opened with consecutive losses for the Orlando Magic, who fell 115-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Kia Center.

Orlando dropped to 0-2 under first-year head coach Sean Sweeney as shooting struggles again slowed its offense. The Magic also struggled with turnovers and missed free throws, repeating problems from their season-opening loss to Atlanta. Yahoo Sports

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards holds the basketball while airborne as Orlando’s Paolo Banchero contests behind him and another Magic defender raises both arms.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards handles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero contests the play at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Third-quarter struggles prove costly

Minnesota led 57-45 at halftime before taking control in the third quarter. The Timberwolves closed the period with a 17-3 run, building an 86-60 advantage heading into the fourth. Orlando could not recover from the 26-point deficit. reuters.com

Carter leads Orlando

Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner scored 18 points before fouling out, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs added 14 apiece.

Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 15 points for Minnesota, which improved to 2-0. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Reuters

Perimeter shooting remains a concern

Orlando made just eight of its 39 attempts from 3-point range, shooting 20.5%. Minnesota connected on 37.8% of its attempts from beyond the arc. reuters.com

Two games offer a limited measure of Sweeney’s tenure, but the early results identify an immediate challenge: improving offensive execution and preventing difficult stretches from becoming decisive runs.

Central Florida News

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Select 25 Coaches for 2027 Academy, Five for Fellowships

Published

7 days ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

The fourth class will receive scholarships for a weeklong program in Tampa, with five participants returning for training camp and preseason.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are accepting applications for their 2027 National Coaching Academy, offering 25 finalists an opportunity to learn from NFL coaches and participate in rookie minicamp activities.

Applications close Dec. 31, 2026. The program uses rolling admissions, and applicants are encouraged to apply early, according to the team.

Presented by ReliaQuest, the academy was established by the Glazer family to create pathways for coaches seeking NFL opportunities. The upcoming class will be its fourth.

Eligibility and Scholarships

Applicants must have at least three years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college or semiprofessional level.

The 25 finalists will receive full scholarships covering costs while in Tampa for the weeklong academy.

After completing the program, five participants will be selected to return as fellows for training camp and the preseason.

On-Field Experience and Coaching Instruction

Finalists will attend team meetings and participate in on-field coaching sessions during rookie minicamp.

The program includes master classes led by Buccaneers coaches, along with Super Bowl-winning head coaches Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians and Tony Dungy, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, according to the announcement.

Additional sessions cover film review, media training, business insights and networking.

Program Draws International Interest

The academy has attracted more than 3,000 applicants from 22 countries over its first three years, the team said. Dozens of previous finalists have since earned new positions or promotions at their institutions.

Applications for the 2027 class are open now until Dec. 31, 2026, with a rolling admissions program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. More information can be found HERE.

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Expand ThreatLocker Partnership With Warmup Branding, Cybersecurity Campaign

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

Orlando Magic, ThreatLocker Add Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign and Courtside Branding

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic and Orlando-based cybersecurity company ThreatLocker have expanded their partnership to include player warmup branding, courtside signage and a cybersecurity awareness campaign, the team announced Oct. 21.

ThreatLocker’s branding will appear on the Magic’s player warmup shirts for all home and away games, as well as front-row courtside seatback covers at Kia Center.

Campaign to Share Online Safety Tips

Timed to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the awareness campaign includes an opening-night commercial featuring ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins.

The spot will offer tips to help fans and Orlando-area residents protect themselves online, according to the announcement.

“As a Magic Champion of the Community partner since 2023, ThreatLocker has demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community,” Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman said. “We’re excited to help raise cybersecurity awareness and continue growing their brand and our collective community impact.”

Branding Extends Across Games and Broadcasts

The agreement also includes a season-long commercial campaign and a custom-branded broadcast feature. ThreatLocker will receive exposure through MagicTV 27 in Central Florida and the team’s regional over-the-air broadcast network.

Warmup shirt branding will give the company visibility during pregame activities, player-focused content and game broadcasts, according to the announcement.

“We’re delighted that this partnership will help fans stay safe online,” Jenkins said. “And with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a great opportunity to share a few simple steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and their families.”