Orlando

Bendik: Orlando City Fell to “One of the Best Teams in the League by Far”

Published

10 years ago

August 24, 2016

ORLANDO (FNN SPORTS) - The Orlando City Lions fall to Toronto FC at Camping World Stadium Wednesday night. Photo: J. Willie David/Florida National News.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) /By Orlando SC/ – In its second match in five days, Orlando City SC (5-7-13, 28 points) fell to Eastern Conference leader Toronto FC (12-7-7, 43 points) 2-1 Wednesday at Camping World Stadium. Tony Rocha made his first career MLS start and Cyle Larin scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season.

“It’s a night where I thought we did some really nice things. I’m still seeing improvements, I’m still seeing positive signs that we’re headed in a good direction. Obviously against a team like Toronto, they took some chances. They’re a quality team. They can put you under it for a bit so credit to them,” Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “But I think we did enough in this game that we earned a point. Unfortunately we didn’t get it but on a different night I think we do get it.”

The Lions fell into an early hole when reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco found Tosaint Ricketts in behind the back line. Ricketts fired a shot around goalkeeper Joe Bendik for the opening goal.

Orlando City put the pressure on in search of the equalizer and almost found it just two minutes later when Kevin Molino, who made his first start since July 31, flicked a ball in for Larin. The young Canadian flicked a right-footed shot just wide of goal.

The Lions found the equalizer in the 56th minute when Luke Boden, who made his return to the starting lineup, lofted a ball for Larin inside the box. The reigning MLS Rookie of the Year headed the ball off the inside corner of the post, across the goal and over the line for the equalizer.

Larin struck the same corner again in the second minute of added time. His right-footed shot from distance struck the outside of the post, though, and out of bounds as the Lions looked to equalize again after Jozy Altidore’s 87th minute goal.

Bendik, who has won MLS Save of the Week nine times this season, put on yet another incredible performance. The Georgia native made an outstanding save on Jozy Altidore in the 66th minute after the U.S. national team forward headed a shot from inside the six-yard box that Bendik somehow dove across to get a hand on. Bendik finished with five saves. “I think they’re one of the best teams in the league by far,” Bendik said of Toronto. “It’s a little bit of consolation to play well against them.”

Rocha, who was signed from Orlando City B on Aug. 4, made his first career MLS start in his third appearance. The 23-year-old midfielder played alongside Antonio Nocerino and was solid in the defensive midfield. Rocha also created several opportunities in the attack, chipping a ball in for Kaká in the 29th minute and again in the 34th.

City faces another short turnaround when they host 2015 expansion rival New York City FC on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. ET. before going out on a two-game road trip to Montreal and Los Angeles. “We have to win that game and fight for those three points,” said Cyle Larin of their upcoming match against New York City. “We just have to play hard and just clean up our mistakes.”

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Golf

Russell Henley Wins Red Cardigan at 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2025

Mike Brodsky

Russell Henley wins the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Russell Henley wins his first red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. This is Henley’s fifth win on the PGA Tour.

Russell Henley is greeted by his family on the 18th green after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Henley finished at 11 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 70 today. Collin Morikawa finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, finished today at 4 under par, tied for 11th place.

Scottie Scheffler tees off at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

NFL

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Published

2 years ago

October 30, 2024

Mike Brodsky

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Former UCF football players Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant have partnered with GMTM to launch their Search for Greatness Combine at UCF on Saturday, November 9th. They’re giving local athletes a chance to showcase their talents and explore new sports opportunities. Griffin will be inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 2nd, during halftime of the Arizona vs. UCF football game. He is remembered for his tenacity, setting an NFL Combine record with the fastest 40-yard dash by a linebacker, and playing four seasons in the NFL, overcoming the challenge of only having one hand. He is now training to make the USA Paralympic Track and Field Team and hopes to compete in the 2028 Olympics. Joey Grant, the co-founder and CEO of GMTM, is a former UCF team captain, playing mostly Center for the Knights from 2011-2015.

Participation at the upcoming combine is free and invite-only, targeting athletes over the age of 18. To be considered, athletes must submit a highlight video via GMTM’s platform, showcasing their athleticism. GMTM will evaluate submissions and invite the most promising athletes to participate in the combine. The goal for this year’s event is to get 1,000 athletes to submit videos and be part of the combine process. Athletes chosen will receive personalized invites with further instructions, including event time slots and details. The athletes will be evaluated for their key athletic traits, to identify opportunities for them across multiple Olympic sports or professional sports programs. To learn more, or to apply for the combine, visit: https://gmtm.com/articles/the-search-for-greatness-at-ucf-with-shaquem-griffin-what-you-need-to-know.

Florida National News spoke with Shaquem and Joey about the combine, college football in the era of NIL and the transfer portal, and Griffin’s hall of fame induction. You can watch the full interview here:

Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant interview

Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com and www.FloridaSportsChannel.com for more.

Florida

Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.