Sports
Orlando City SC Dominates Nashville SC with 3-0 Victory, Extends Home Unbeaten Streak
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Orlando City SC (10-10-7, 37 points) secured a commanding 3-0 win over Nashville SC (7-15-6, 27 points) on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. This victory marked the Lions’ first home MLS match since the Leagues Cup break and extended their home unbeaten streak to four games, including three wins since June 22.
The Lions quickly took control with an early goal from Iván Angulo, followed by two goals from Facundo Torres, including his third brace of the season. Torres’ outstanding performance not only helped secure the win but also brought him closer to breaking the Club’s all-time scoring record, as he now sits just three goals shy of Cyle Larin’s record.
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese played a crucial role in maintaining the clean sheet, his third of the season, as Orlando City extended their shutout streak against Nashville SC to five matches.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja praised the team’s disciplined play and precision in finishing:
“I am very happy for our team and our fans in this moment of urgency. We need to add points and ascend in the standings. Today, we were precise in the way we finished. The discipline from the group was excellent, and that’s how we will achieve our goals this season.”
Key Points:
- Facundo Torres scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season, bringing his all-time total to 41.
- Iván Angulo scored his fourth goal of the 2024 season.
- Martín Ojeda and Dagur Dan Thórhallsson each provided crucial assists, bringing their season totals to nine and five, respectively.
- Nico Lodeiro tied the Club’s single-season assist record with his 12th assist, also marking his 90th career MLS assist.
- Orlando City will return to action on Saturday, September 14, against the New England Revolution after the FIFA international break.
Davison scores 26 points, Branham adds 23 and Osceola records 23 steals to open its season with a victory at Silver Spurs Arena.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Osceola Magic opened their season with a record-setting defensive performance, collecting 23 steals and forcing 35 turnovers in a 97-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Silver Spurs Arena.
JD Davison scored a game-high 26 points and Malaki Branham added 23 as Osceola established a franchise record for steals and matched its record for opponent turnovers. Osceola Magic
Defense drives the comeback
Oklahoma City led 31-22 after the first quarter and 44-43 at halftime. Osceola pulled even at 70 entering the fourth quarter, then outscored the Blue 27-19 over the final period.
The victory gave Osceola a 1-0 start and dropped Oklahoma City to 0-2. Zhaire Smith led the Blue with 19 points, while Christoph Tilly contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. gleague.nba.com
Osceola’s defensive pressure helped offset Oklahoma City’s early advantage. The Blue finished just 5 of 29 from 3-point range, shooting 17.2%.
Six Magic players recorded multiple steals, led by Johnell Davis’ career-high six — one short of the franchise record. Davison collected four, Jarron Cumberland had three, and Ace Baldwin Jr., Branham and Mike Sharavjamts each added two.
Malaki Branham leans into his drive while keeping his dribble low as an Oklahoma City Blue defender guards him during the Osceola Magic’s season opener. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.
Davison and Branham lead the offense
Davison and Branham combined for 49 points, accounting for more than half of Osceola’s scoring.
Au’Diese Toney contributed 14 points in his return to Osceola, including a late 3-pointer that helped secure the victory.
Davis provided another boost off the bench with 11 points and a career-best-tying four assists, complementing his disruptive defensive performance.
Sharavjamts makes professional debut
Sharavjamts posted a team-best plus-12 rating in 24 minutes during his professional debut. Osceola outscored Oklahoma City by 12 points while he was on the floor. Osceola Magic
What’s next for the Osceola Magic?
Following a scheduled road matchup with the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Osceola returns to Silver Spurs Arena to host the Mexico City Capitanes on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Member News
The Magic’s challenge will be to sustain the defensive pressure that helped them overcome an early nine-point deficit in the opener.
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
Central Florida News5 days agoFlorida Puerto Rican Lawmakers’ First-Term Impact: FNN Audit Reviews Bills Becoming Law, 1999–2026
Business2 days agoGetty Images files for Chapter 11. What comes next for Florida photographers and videographers?
Sports5 days agoLIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent
Central Florida News21 hours agoDarren Soto defeats Gov. Ron DeSantis’ gerrymandered map, narrowly wins reelection
Central Florida News10 hours agoOsceola Magic Set Franchise Steals Record in 97-89 Season-Opening Win
