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Orlando Pride defeat Seattle Reign 2-0 to advance to NWSL semifinals

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Orlando Pride defeat Seattle Reign 2-0 to advance to NWSL semifinals | Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The No. 4 Orlando Pride continued their postseason dominance Friday night, defeating the No. 5 Seattle Reign FC 2-0 in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs presented by Google Pixel at Inter&Co Stadium. With the victory, Orlando secured its fourth consecutive playoff win, tying the NWSL record and advancing to the semifinals for the second straight season.

The Pride struck early in the 21st minute, as Marta and Julie Doyle combined on a clever give-and-go down the right wing. Doyle found Haley McCutcheon at the top of the box, who calmly slotted the ball through a defender’s legs and into the far corner for the opening goal.

MOORHOUSE STANDS TALL AS PRIDE DEFENSE HOLDS STRONG

Seattle pressed for an equalizer throughout the match, controlling possession and creating multiple chances. However, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse delivered a stellar performance, making eight critical saves, including a point-blank stop in the 76th minute, to preserve the shutout.

In stoppage time, Marta broke free on a solo run and was brought down in the box, earning a penalty. Demonstrating her trademark selflessness, she handed the ball to Luana, who calmly converted from the spot to secure the 2-0 victory. The goal marked Luana’s first of the 2025 season and her first with the Pride.

PRIDE MAKE HISTORY, EYE NEXT CHALLENGE IN SEMIFINALS

Head Coach Seb Hines praised his team’s composure and collective effort after the win:

“It’s a unique situation playing a team we just faced last week, but I thought we managed it really well. The players worked so hard to reach this point and showed great resilience. Everyone—players, staff, and fans—played a part in tonight’s result. Marta giving the penalty to Luana was a perfect example of her leadership and selflessness.”

With the victory, Orlando awaits the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between the Kansas City Current and Gotham FC. Details for next weekend’s semifinal match will be announced following that result.

Heineken Star of the Match: Haley McCutcheon (1 Goal, 3rd playoff goal in last four postseason matches)

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Jahmyr Gibbs, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Nathan Shepherd Earn NFC Player of the Week Honors for Week 10

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NEW YORK, N.Y. (FNN SPORTS) – The National Football League (NFL) has announced its NFC Players of the Week for Week 10 (November 6, 9–10), recognizing standout performances from Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Seattle Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence, and New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd.

OFFENSE: RB JAHMYR GIBBS, DETROIT LIONS

Gibbs exploded for 172 scrimmage yards (142 rushing, 30 receiving) and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Lions’ 44-22 victory over Washington.

He led the NFC in scrimmage yards, rushing yards, rushing average (9.5 yards per carry), and touchdowns for the week. This marks Gibbs’ second career NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor (previously Week 14, 2024).

Gibbs joins quarterback Jared Goff (Week 2) as the second Lion to earn the offensive award this season. He is also the second Detroit running back—after Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (11-time winner)—to win multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.

A proud Alabama Crimson Tide alumnus, Gibbs becomes the fifth Alabama running back to earn multiple Player of the Week honors, joining Derrick Henry, Shaun Alexander, Mark Ingram, and Eddie Lacy.

DEFENSE: LB DEMARCUS LAWRENCE, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Lawrence turned in a dominant defensive performance in Seattle’s 44-22 win over Arizona, tallying four tackles, two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns, one tackle for loss, and half a sack.

He became just the third player in NFL history to return two fumbles for touchdowns in a single game, joining Jeremy Chinn (2020) and Fred Evans (1948).

This marks Lawrence’s second career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award (first in Week 3, 2017). He is the first Seahawk to win since Leonard Williams (Week 13, 2024) and the first Seattle linebacker since Uchenna Nwosu (Week 1, 2022).

Lawrence is also the first former Boise State player to win multiple Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining Jay Ajayi as the only other Bronco to win multiple Player of the Week awards.

SPECIAL TEAMS: DT NATHAN SHEPHERD, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Shepherd made his mark on special teams, blocking a crucial field goal attempt that preserved the Saints’ 10-7 lead in the third quarter of their 17-7 win over Carolina—the only field goal block in the NFL during Week 10.

He added two tackles and a sack, contributing to a Saints defense that shut out the Panthers in the second half.

This is Shepherd’s first career Special Teams Player of the Week award, and he becomes only the second defensive lineman in Saints history to earn the honor (joining Bryan Bresee, Week 14, 2024). Shepherd is also the first player from Fort Hays State to ever win an NFL Player of the Week award.

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Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride Partner with The Ruckus to Host Community Food Drive

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USA U 17 Mens National Team Tops Group At 2025 FIFAf U 17 World Cup Advances To Knockout Stage Against Morocco

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DOHA, Qatar (FNN SPORTS) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team continued its impressive run at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, clinching the top spot in Group I with a 1-0 win over Czechia at Aspire Zone Pitch 4. Substitute Mathis Albert’s 78th-minute goal sealed the victory, giving the USA a perfect 3-0-0 record in group play — the program’s best start in 34 years.

Ranked third overall among group winners, the USA will face Morocco—who finished third in Group B—in the Round of 32 on November 14 or 15. FIFA is expected to confirm the official match date and time by Wednesday.

Albert’s Late Goal Seals Historic Win

With the group title within reach, head coach Gonzalo Segares rotated seven players from the starting lineup that defeated Tajikistan 2-1. Despite early pressure from Czechia, including a 14th-minute shot that hit the post, the Americans steadily grew into the match.

In the second half, substitute Mathis Albert brought new energy down the left wing, linking well with playmaker Máximo Carrizo. Their chemistry paid off in the 78th minute when Albert received a through ball from Carrizo, slipped behind the Czech defense, and calmly slotted home the decisive goal into the lower right corner.

The U.S. defense held firm despite a late red card to Mateo Tsakiris in stoppage time, preserving its second clean sheet of the tournament.

Milestones and Match Highlights

  • Historic Achievement: The victory marks the first time in 20 years—and only the fourth time overall—that the U.S. has won its group at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (previously in 1991, 1999, and 2005).

  • Perfect Record: It’s just the second time ever the U.S. U-17s have won all three group-stage matches, matching the 1991 squad’s feat.

  • Key Performances: Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes anchored a strong back line, recording two shutouts in three matches. Carrizo tallied his first assist of the tournament, while Albert netted his first U-17 World Cup goal.

  • Discipline: Tsakiris received a red card in stoppage time after a VAR review and will miss the Round of 32 match.

FINAL SCORE:

USA 1 – Czechia 0
Goal: Mathis Albert (78′)
Assist: Máximo Carrizo

The U.S. U-17s now turn their focus to the knockout stage, where they’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak and push deeper into the tournament.

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