Sports
Orlando City falls 3-1 to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in Leagues Cup 2023
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Orlando City SC saw its Leagues Cup 2023 play come to an end, falling 3-1 to intrastate rival Inter Miami CF on Wednesday night at DRV PNK Stadium. With that, the Lions will see 17 days before their next match, traveling to face Chicago Fire FC on Aug. 20 when the team resumes MLS regular season play.
Orlando City midfielder César Araújo (5) scores goal as Inter Miami Lionel Messi (10) looks in shock at the DRV PNK Stadium, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
After falling down 1-0 early in the game, Orlando City responded with a goal through midfielder César Araújo, his second across all competitions. However, after entering the locker room tied at 1-1, Inter Miami found two goals in the second half, including a controversial penalty kick goal that proved to be the game-winner.
In the 72nd minute, Lionel Messi scored the final goal defeating Orlando City 3-1 at the DRV PNK Stadium, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
The rivalry match was slated to kick off at 8 p.m. ET, however faced a lengthy weather delay during warmups, with the ball eventually rolling at 9:35 p.m. ET.
“We weren’t sharp enough up front, probably could have been more aggressive when we had the ball. And we’re going to take the blame and in our team,” said Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja. “We couldn’t score and then they open the scoring in the first half and [again] in the second half very early. We could have avoided that but, honestly, we are very disappointed with the game [being decided] in two places… I think it’s clear that the rivalry [with Inter Miami] is going to be wider and better, and we’re ready to do it. We will continue and obviously, the [regular] season is there.”
Scoring Summary:
7’ Lionel Messi (Robert Taylor) – MIA 1, ORL 0
Miami struck first, just seven minutes into the game, as Robert Taylor carried the ball just outside the top right corner of the Lions’ box before lobbing it behind the line for Lionel Messi who slid it home for the opener.
17’ César Araújo – ORL 1, MIA 1
The Lions equalized 10 minutes later off a corner kick won from a Mauricio Pereyra free kick. Pereyra played the corner low to Iván Angulo for a shot on goal. Miami’s Drake Callender stopped the shot, but the rebound César Araújo who fired home the equalizer.
51’ Josef Martínez (Penalty Kick) – MIA 2, ORL 1
Miami took the lead back shortly into the second half after a controversial penalty call, which did not receive a VAR review. Miami forward Josef Martínez stepped up, stutter-stepped and hit it low to Pedro Gallese’s right for the goal.
72’ Lionel Messi (Josef Martínez) – MIA 3, ORL 1
Miami extended their lead in the 72nd minute with a cross that found its way to Josef Martínez at the far post, where the goal scorer turned provider for Lionel Messi. Martínez chipped the ball back to Messi just outside the six-yard box and fired it home for his second of the night.
“I think we’re doing well, above all else winning, which is a good place to start. We’re getting better at circulating the ball with each passing game, and more clinical at the top end of the pitch,” said Inter Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. “If we solidify the defensive end a bit – I see growth in this aspect – and we can guarantee clean sheets, we’ll have great chances for the players from midfield forward to score goals every match.”
Central Florida News
Osceola Magic Acquire Au’Diese Toney’s Returning Player Rights in Three-Team Trade
Banda converted her first NWSL penalty and assisted Haley McCutcheon as Orlando earned its fifth consecutive home victory over Houston.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Barbra Banda made club history Sunday night as the Orlando Pride defeated the Houston Dash 3-1 at Inter&Co Stadium, giving Orlando its fifth consecutive home victory over Houston.
The Pride improved to 9-12-2 with 29 points, while Houston fell to 7-11-5 with 26 points.
Banda’s 44th-minute penalty was her 14th goal of the 2026 NWSL season, establishing a new Orlando Pride single-season scoring record. The Zambia international also assisted Haley McCutcheon’s second-half goal as Orlando built a commanding three-goal advantage.
Pride Strike Early
Orlando controlled much of the opening stages and went ahead in the 14th minute.
Banda drove toward the endline and sent the ball across goal. Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell got a touch on it, but the loose ball ricocheted off defender Leah Klenke and into the net for an own goal.
The play gave Orlando a 1-0 advantage and set the tone for the first half.
Banda Makes Orlando Pride History
The Pride doubled their lead shortly before halftime after Summer Yates was brought down inside the penalty area.
Banda stepped to the spot in the 44th minute and converted the first penalty kick of her NWSL career.
More significantly, it was Banda’s 14th goal of the season, setting a new Orlando Pride record for goals by an individual player in a single NWSL campaign.
Banda also became the fifth player in NWSL history to score at least 10 home goals in a single season, according to the club.
Orlando carried a 2-0 lead into halftime.
McCutcheon Delivers Highlight Goal
The Pride struck again in the 63rd minute.
McCutcheon combined with Banda on a one-two before firing a left-footed volley from just inside the penalty area into the top corner.
The goal was McCutcheon’s fourth of the season, establishing a new single-season career high for the midfielder.
Banda earned the assist, giving her four goal contributions — two goals and two assists — across Orlando’s last three matches.
The goal pushed Orlando’s advantage to 3-0.
Houston’s Kiki Van Zanten pulled one back in the 72nd minute, but the Dash could get no closer.
Photo: Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Scoring Summary
14′ — Leah Klenke, own goal: Orlando 1, Houston 0
44′ — Barbra Banda, penalty: Orlando 2, Houston 0
63′ — Haley McCutcheon, assisted by Barbra Banda: Orlando 3, Houston 0
72′ — Kiki Van Zanten: Orlando 3, Houston 1
Final: Orlando Pride 3, Houston Dash 1
Thomas Praises Pride’s Togetherness
The victory came under interim head coach Yolanda Thomas, who emphasized the organization’s collective response during what she described as difficult circumstances.
“There was not a single member of staff that either works in our environment in our building or in our front office that was not involved in making this happen,” Thomas said.
She credited the organization’s staff for stepping into different roles and supporting one another while dealing with personal challenges.
“The togetherness was incredible,” Thomas said.
McCutcheon: Pride Executed the Plan
McCutcheon credited Orlando’s defensive organization and aggressive approach.
“I think that we did exactly what we wanted to do. We came out strong,” McCutcheon said.
She said Thomas emphasized defensive shape and pressing ahead of the match, adding that the performance “looked like the old Orlando Pride.”
Match Notes
Banda’s record-setting performance highlighted a productive night for Orlando. Her assist on McCutcheon’s goal extended her recent run to four goal contributions over three matches.
Forward Sanne Lekven made her Orlando Pride debut as a second-half substitute.
Thomas made one change from the starting lineup used against the Utah Royals, inserting Hannah Anderson into the starting XI.
The Pride were without Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), Viviana Villacorta (knee), Kerry Abello (thigh), Julie Doyle (knee) and Rafaelle (head).
Why the Win Matters
Beyond Banda’s individual record, the victory gave Orlando three important points as the Pride enter the next phase of their schedule.
The performance also featured contributions across the attack: Banda helped create all three Orlando goals, while McCutcheon established a personal scoring high.
Orlando’s fifth straight home victory against Houston further extended the Pride’s recent dominance of the Dash at Inter&Co Stadium.
What’s Next?
Orlando now faces a major road test.
The Pride travel to Kansas City to face the Kansas City Current on Friday, Sept. 11, at CPKC Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the match streaming on Prime Video.
The challenge for Orlando will be turning Sunday’s convincing performance into momentum on the road as the Pride continue their push through the closing stretch of the 2026 NWSL season.
Follow FNN Sports for continuing Orlando Pride coverage, match reports, interviews, photos and video.
Entertainment
Tom Cruise Brings Hollywood Star Power to Daytona as ‘Days of Thunder’ Sequel Energizes NASCAR
Cruise’s Daytona appearance puts NASCAR in the global entertainment spotlight as Cole Trickle prepares to return to the track in 2028
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Tom Cruise brought Hollywood star power to Daytona International Speedway, energizing the NASCAR garage and putting one of racing’s most recognizable movie characters back on the starting grid.
The global superstar’s appearance during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend was more than a celebrity visit. Cruise came to Daytona to reconnect with NASCAR, meet today’s drivers and team owners, and introduce the next chapter of Days of Thunder, with Cruise returning as Cole Trickle and Anne Hathaway joining the franchise.
Florida National News was at Daytona capturing Cruise’s interaction with drivers, teams and fans as Hollywood and NASCAR came together at the World Center of Racing.
Cruise Brings Hollywood Star Power to Daytona
Cruise’s presence immediately became one of the biggest stories surrounding the NASCAR weekend.
The actor attended the pre-race drivers meeting and spent time with competitors and team owners as he learned more about how NASCAR has changed since the original Days of Thunder was released in 1990.
Cruise told NASCAR competitors that he wants the new movie to capture more than racing. His interest extends to the teams, people and culture surrounding the sport — an approach that could give NASCAR significant exposure beyond its traditional fan base.
For NASCAR, that star power matters.
Cruise is one of the world’s most recognizable movie stars, and a major theatrical production built around stock-car racing could introduce NASCAR’s drivers, teams and tracks to audiences who may rarely, if ever, watch a Cup Series race.
Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway pose alongside a “Cole Trickle” Days of Thunder race car in a promotional image for Days of Thunder 2.
Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo: Tom Cruise’s X social media
‘Days of Thunder’ Returns for a New NASCAR Generation
Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, the fearless young driver at the center of the original movie.
Hathaway will co-star as a race-team owner and engineer. Jonathan Levine is set to direct from a screenplay by Will Staples, while Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper are producing.
Paramount Pictures has scheduled the movie for June 2, 2028.
The sequel arrives nearly four decades after the original Days of Thunder brought NASCAR racing to movie theaters around the world.
The 1990 film starred Cruise alongside Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Michael Rooker, Randy Quaid and Cary Elwes. Real NASCAR personalities were also incorporated into the production, establishing a connection between Hollywood fiction and the actual racing community.
Now Cruise is returning to a NASCAR that is dramatically different from the sport Cole Trickle entered in 1990.
NASCAR Drivers Already Want In
Cruise’s Daytona appearance also created another storyline: Which NASCAR stars will make it into the movie?
Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano, along with Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson, has expressed interest in appearing in the sequel. Production is expected to begin in early 2027, leaving casting and potential NASCAR cameos among the major developments still ahead.
Their enthusiasm illustrates the cultural reach of the original film within NASCAR itself.
Many of today’s drivers grew up in an era when Days of Thunder had already become part of racing’s popular culture. Appearing alongside Cruise could now give a new generation of NASCAR competitors the opportunity once held by drivers who appeared in the original movie.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Helps Connect Hollywood With Modern NASCAR
NASCAR’s involvement may extend well beyond cameos.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has said he has been communicating with people developing the story, including discussions about how the movie can authentically portray today’s NASCAR while respecting what made the original memorable.
That input could prove valuable.
NASCAR has changed dramatically since 1990 — from its race cars and safety technology to team operations, media coverage and the way fans experience the sport. Capturing modern NASCAR while preserving the personality of the original movie will be one of the sequel’s central challenges.
Rick Hendrick Sees a Major Opportunity for NASCAR
Few people have a stronger connection to both chapters than legendary NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick.
Hendrick Motorsports provided technical support for the original movie, beginning a relationship among Hendrick, Cruise and producer Jerry Bruckheimer that stretches back decades.
Hendrick believes the sequel could provide a significant boost for NASCAR, saying the movie could do the sport “a tremendous amount of good.”
That assessment gets to the larger significance of Cruise’s Daytona appearance.
A Days of Thunder sequel isn’t simply another Hollywood production using racing as a backdrop. If NASCAR teams, drivers and tracks become part of the production, the movie could function as a global showcase for the sport.
From ‘Top Gun’ to ‘Days of Thunder’
Cruise has already demonstrated the potential of revisiting a signature movie decades later.
Top Gun: Maverick introduced the Top Gun franchise to a new generation while bringing longtime fans back to theaters. There is no guarantee Days of Thunder will duplicate that success, but NASCAR offers many of the elements associated with Cruise’s biggest action films — speed, technology, competition, danger and spectacle.
The difference this time is that NASCAR itself could share the spotlight.
Cruise isn’t simply returning to the fictional world of Cole Trickle. He is immersing himself in the real NASCAR garage before cameras begin rolling.
Daytona Becomes the Starting Line
That makes Daytona an important part of the sequel’s developing story.
Daytona International Speedway represents generations of NASCAR history. Cruise’s decision to bring Days of Thunder back into that environment connected the original film, today’s NASCAR and Hollywood’s upcoming sequel in one place.
For longtime NASCAR fans, Cruise’s return revives memories of Cole Trickle.
For younger audiences, the new film could provide their first introduction to the character — and potentially their first meaningful exposure to NASCAR.
For the sport itself, the possibilities are considerably larger.
Cruise and Hathaway give the production international star power. NASCAR provides the speed, personalities, rivalries and authenticity. Daytona provided the stage where those worlds came together.
And NASCAR drivers are already lining up to become part of it.
What’s Next for ‘Days of Thunder’
Attention now turns toward production, which is expected to begin in early 2027. Additional casting, filming locations, participating NASCAR organizations and driver cameos remain among the biggest unanswered questions.
The finished movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters June 2, 2028.
Between now and then, NASCAR has an unusual opportunity: allow one of Hollywood’s biggest stars to take audiences behind the wheel and into the culture of American stock-car racing.
At Daytona, Cruise provided the first taste of what that combination could generate.
The thunder is coming back — and NASCAR could be one of its biggest stars.
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