Sports
Orlando City SC Defender Alex Freeman Wins 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year Award
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Major League Soccer announced today that Orlando City SC defender Alex Freeman has been named the 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year, capping off a breakout campaign that showcased his skill, leadership, and rising star power.
Freeman, 21, becomes the first Academy graduate in Orlando City history to earn the league’s Young Player of the Year award and the second player overall to receive a top MLS rookie or young player honor, following Cyle Larin, who was named MLS Rookie of the Year in 2015.
Breakout Season for Orlando’s Homegrown Star
In his first full MLS season, Freeman delivered a career-best nine goal contributions—six goals and three assists—while emerging as one of the league’s most complete defenders. His attacking performance ranked among the best in MLS defenders, tying for second-most goals (6) and recording 42 key passes, the fourth-highest total among all defenders.
Freeman’s influence extended beyond offense: he led the Lions in aerial duels (110) and ranked fourth in clearances (19). When Freeman scored or assisted, Orlando City held a strong 4-2-2 record, reflecting his impact on match outcomes.
Rising to the National Stage
Freeman’s stellar form in Orlando earned him his first call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) in June 2025, making his international debut as a starter against Turkey. He went on to represent the U.S. at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, starting all six matches and helping the team reach the final.
The young defender was also the youngest player selected for the 2025 MLS All-Star Team, which triumphed over the LIGA MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas. His success highlights Orlando City’s robust player development system, having advanced through MLS NEXT (Academy) and MLS NEXT Pro (Orlando City B) before earning a consistent starting role in MLS.
Freeman Tops Voting Over Vargas and Luna
The MLS Young Player of the Year Award recognizes the league’s best player aged 22 or younger (born on or after January 1, 2003). Freeman topped the voting categories among media (31.07%), players (23.21%), and club staff (36%), earning an overall average of 30.10% to defeat Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC) and Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), the 2024 winner.
Freeman becomes the fourth American to win the award since its 2020 inception, joining Jesús Ferreira, Ricardo Pepi, and Diego Rossi.
A full list of previous MLS Young Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year winners can be found on MLSsoccer.com.
Stay connected with Florida National News and the FNN News Network for continuing coverage of Orlando City SC, MLS awards, and U.S. Men’s National Team updates.
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FNN Reporter Javier Garcia | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– 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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