Sports
Orlando Pride Clinch First NWSL Championship with Barbra Banda’s Heroics, Marta’s Leadership, and Stellar Defense
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Pride made history Saturday night at CPKC Stadium, defeating the Washington Spirit 1–0 to secure their first-ever NWSL Championship. With this victory, the Pride capped off a remarkable season as 2024 NWSL Shield Winners and Champions, marking the first time since 2019 that a team achieved the prestigious double.
This historic championship also earns the Pride the distinction of being the first professional major-league sports team from Orlando to win a major trophy.
Match Highlights
- Barbra Banda scored the match-winning goal in the 37th minute, assisted by Angelina.
- Banda’s four playoff goals set a new NWSL postseason record.
- Angelina’s assist marked the first by an international player in an NWSL final.
- The Pride’s eight playoff goals tied a league record set by the North Carolina Courage in 2019.
- Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse secured the Pride’s 14th clean sheet of the season, with five crucial saves.
- Head Coach Seb Hines fielded an unchanged starting XI from the semifinal victory over Kansas City Current.
Post-Match Comments
Barbra Banda, NWSL Playoff MVP:
“This is a dream come true for our team and fans. To break records and make history is special, but sharing this moment with my teammates makes it unforgettable.”
Seb Hines, Head Coach:
“This team embodies resilience and unity. To achieve the double and bring the championship to Orlando is a testament to their hard work and belief in each other.”
Marta, Team Captain and Best XI Winner:
“Winning this championship is the culmination of years of effort and growth. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together as a team and community.”
Key Moments and Stats
- 37’ – Barbra Banda’s goal: Angelina’s lofted through ball found Banda, who skillfully beat her defender and fired a left-footed shot past Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.
- Defensive Domination: Rookie Cori Dyke, Kerry Abello, and Emily Sams anchored a backline that stifled Washington’s potent attack despite their 26 total shots.
- Historic Achievement: Orlando’s unbeaten home record (10-0-3) and league-best 13 clean sheets were pivotal in their journey to the title.
Orlando Pride Clinch First NWSL Championship with Barbra Banda’s Heroics, Marta’s Leadership, and Stellar Defense. Credit; Orlando Pride
What’s Next?
The Pride will celebrate their 2024 NWSL Championship with a parade and community celebration in downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25. Fans are invited to join Mayor Buddy Dyer, the Pride players, and special guests as the parade proceeds down Orange Avenue to Orlando City Hall, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Match Stats Summary
- Possession: ORL 42% / WAS 58%
- Shots: ORL 9 / WAS 26
- Shots on Goal: ORL 3 / WAS 5
- Saves: ORL 5 / WAS 2
Orlando Pride Clinch First NWSL Championship with Barbra Banda’s Heroics, Marta’s Leadership, and Stellar Defense. Credit: Orlando Pride
Heineken Star of the Match
Barbra Banda: Scored the match-winning goal and delivered a standout performance to claim the playoff MVP title.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@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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