Sports
“We cannot lose our heads…” Orlando City Head Coach asks for calm after two home losses in a row
ORLANDO, Fl. (FNN) — In a action-packed MLS Saturday, Orlando City hosted the Western Conference’s Nashville SC this weekend at Exploria Stadium. After winning the two head-to-heads last year, Nashville were determined to get revenge, and that they did. The crafty Nashville side coached by Gary Smith played their textbook game as they lost in possession and passes distributed but relied on their defense and counter-attack to find success. Hany Mukhtar found the net for the first time this season as he assisted the first goal of the night to Fafa Picault.
— Hany Mukhtar duels with Rodrigo Schegel for possession at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Crafty, crafty Nashville
The Orlando Li — or rather, the Orlando Sea Cows for tonight were well in control during bouts of possession. Legitimately looking like a threat against a stoic Nashville defense. Complications for Nashville soon arose as Luke Haakenson & Anibal Godoy both picked up yellows. However, in a bizarre turn of events after a quick free-kick, Fafa Picault latched onto a lofted through ball in the box played by Mukhtar. He managed to chip it over Pedro Gallese to start Orlando’s headache. With just 28 minutes into play Orlando once again find themselves down at Exploria Stadium.
With a goal completely against the run of play Orlando looked deflated for a few minutes. Despite that, Angulo injected the fans with a jolt of his effort and pace. After chasing down the goalkeeper and almost deflecting a ball into the net the fans in downtown Orlando exploded with approval. The message was clear going into the second half — Orlando will not go out without a fight.
— Ivan Angulo enjoying a positive spell of football in his first full year in Orlando as he take on Nashville SC at Exploria Stadium, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
To start the second half, Felipe came off the pitch for Facundo Torres as the Uruguayan also makes his return from international play. Felipe provided a useful offensive spark that Torres will undoubtedly look to fill. Despite some shots on target, Facundo Torres and co. were unable to break the deadlock despite enjoying 60% possession all game and passing 100 more times as a team.
Keep the balance
Matters went from bad to worse as Nashville’s biggest star Hany Mukhtar got a wonderful through ball from Shaquell Moore. Despite Gallese getting a foot onto it the ball bounced fortunately into the back of the net for Nashville. With the walls coming down on them, Orlando look deflated and without a purpose as the game finished 2-0.
With two home losses in a row, Oscar Pareja and his men are undoubtedly angsty to get back out there and win in front of their fans. Pareja asked for calm and poise in the post-game presser. Exclaiming that Orlando City are not the best team after their away win to Philadelphia Union. But also clarifying that tonight’s loss to Nashville SC does not make them the worst either. The level-headed take will do well to pacify the waters. But there is a sense that a personnel issue on the field may be at play here. Deciding which players to sit and which players to play, and how to play them, are becoming daunting tasks for the Orlando City Head Coach.
— Ramiro Enrique ramps up for a shot against Walker Zimmerman at Exploria Stadium, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
“We have to keep our heads up. We have responsibility [as coaches] to lure the players together and see how we can use all this chemistry and players we have to do good things. We have a good group and I believe in them. So we have to keep the balance.” — Oscar Pareja on Orlando City’s lack of consistency so far this season.
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Orlando Magic Expand ThreatLocker Partnership With Warmup Branding, Cybersecurity Campaign
Orlando Magic, ThreatLocker Add Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign and Courtside Branding
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic and Orlando-based cybersecurity company ThreatLocker have expanded their partnership to include player warmup branding, courtside signage and a cybersecurity awareness campaign, the team announced Oct. 21.
ThreatLocker’s branding will appear on the Magic’s player warmup shirts for all home and away games, as well as front-row courtside seatback covers at Kia Center.
Campaign to Share Online Safety Tips
Timed to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the awareness campaign includes an opening-night commercial featuring ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins.
The spot will offer tips to help fans and Orlando-area residents protect themselves online, according to the announcement.
“As a Magic Champion of the Community partner since 2023, ThreatLocker has demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community,” Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman said. “We’re excited to help raise cybersecurity awareness and continue growing their brand and our collective community impact.”
Branding Extends Across Games and Broadcasts
The agreement also includes a season-long commercial campaign and a custom-branded broadcast feature. ThreatLocker will receive exposure through MagicTV 27 in Central Florida and the team’s regional over-the-air broadcast network.
Warmup shirt branding will give the company visibility during pregame activities, player-focused content and game broadcasts, according to the announcement.
“We’re delighted that this partnership will help fans stay safe online,” Jenkins said. “And with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a great opportunity to share a few simple steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and their families.”
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