Florida Sports Wire

NEW YORK  –  Orlando City SC forward Ramiro Enrique was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Continental Tire for Matchday 32 of the 2023 MLS season.  Enrique produced his first career brace and added an assist in Orlando City’s 4-3 comeback victory over the Columbus Crew at Exploria Stadium on Saturday, September 16. The Argentine forward scored both the game-tying and game-winning goal for Orlando after the 85th minute of play.  With the pair of scores, Enrique became the first player in club history to score both a game-tying and game-winning goal in the 85th minute or later of a match and just the second player to accomplish the feat this year, joining Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada (February 25). Enrique is the third player in Orlando history with at least two goals and one assist in a match, and he is the first to do so since Nani on September 14, 2019.  After a back and forth opening 70 minutes to the match, Orlando found them...

(Stevie Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs) From the National Football League A look at seven statistical highlights from games  on Sunday, September 17, the second week of the 2023 season. With three games remaining in Week 2, nine games have been decided by one score or less (eight points) and 10 games have been within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter. Four teams – ATLANTA (12 points), the NEW YORK GIANTS (21), TENNESSEE (11) and WASHINGTON (18) – overcame deficits of at least 10 points to win in Week 2. The NEW YORK GIANTS overcame a 21-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Arizona, 31-28, as GRAHAM GANO kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The WASHINGTON COMMANDERS overcame an 18-point second-quarter deficit and came back to defeat Denver, 35-33, after trailing in the fourth quarter. The ATLANTA FALCONS overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Green Bay, 25-24, as YOUNGHOE KOO kicked the game-winning 25-yard...

 ORAL GABLES, Fla. – Amerant Bank, the largest community bank headquartered in Florida and the Official ‘Hometown Bank’ of University of Miami Athletics, today announced an expansion of its partnership with the University’s Athletic Department. The five-year extension gives the bank more prominent brand exposure, enhanced programs designed to support consumer banking and provide more opportunities for community-focused programming. “The initial year of our partnership was so well embraced by our team members, clients and the South Florida community, that the idea of expanding our relationship seemed the logical evolution,” said Jerry Plush, Chairman & CEO of Amerant Bank. “We share community-focused values with the University of Miami, and expanding our scope and term of our partnership allows us to further those opportunities.” The multi-year partnership, which currently includes Hurricanes football, basketball and baseball programs, as well as a presence across all University...

  Orlando, Fla.  (September 15, 2023) — In honor of 35 years of Orlando Magic basketball, the team unveiled today a fresh Classic Edition uniform and court design in grand fashion hosting a special event at Amway Center featuring the Magic’s past and present. The 35 th  anniversary tip-off event featured Magic player Jalen Suggs; Magic legends Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Ryan Anderson; Magic Community Ambassadors and former players Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw; and Magic CEO Alex Martins. Each player wore a jersey from their era of Magic basketball before the new classic uniform was unveiled along with the matching court design. The special 35 th  anniversary tip off event culminated with Anderson moderating a question-and-answer session with Suggs and the Magic legends. Joining in the festivities were the Magic’s 35-year season ticket holders, 35-year partners, and team staffers.   The 35 th  anniversary Classic Edition uniform evokes emotions from the...

  SUNRISE, Fla . - In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Florida Panthers today announced their annual ‘Celebration of Hispanic Excellence’ series recognizing South Florida residents making a difference in the local community.     From Hispanic business owners and educators to creators, healthcare workers, activists, executives and more, the Panthers ‘Celebration of Hispanic Excellence’ program recognizes individuals nominated by their peers, colleagues, families or friends for the positive impact they are making in South Florida and beyond.        Honorees’ stories will be highlighted throughout Hispanic Heritage Month at FloridaPanthers.com/VamosGatos and Panthers social media platforms, @FlaPanthers and @FlaPanthersCARE.        Later this season, ‘Hispanic Excellence’ honorees will be recognized during the team’s annual ¡Vamos Gatos! Night powered by Ford on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, when the Panthers take on th...

Florida Sports Wire JACKSONVILLE (SportsTicker) -   Jacob Amaya and Charles Leblanc blasted home runs but it wasn’t enough as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell to the Gwinnett Stripers 9-4 Thursday night at 121 Financial Ballpark in front of 6,160 fans. Gwinnett (66-73, 33-31) took their first and only lead in the top of the fifth.  With one out, Vaughn Grissom singled, Joe Dunand walked and Jesús Aguilar smacked an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2.  Two batters later, Yolmer Sánchez walked to load the bases and Dalton Guthrie gave the Stripers the lead with a two-run single off Jacksonville (68-72, 36-30) starter Devin Smeltzer (L, 5-9). The Stripers added to their lead in the sixth on Justin Dean’s (3) solo blast to lead off the inning. Two runs were added in the top of the seventh to push the lead up to 7-3. With two outs, Sánchez walked and Guthrie was hit by a pitch. Joshua Fuentes ripped a double to score both runners giving Gwinnett a four-run cushion. Gw...

The Orlando Magic have signed free agents Trevelin Queen (TREV-uh-lin) and Brandon Williams,  President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. Queen (6’6”, 190, 2/25/97) played in seven games last season (2022-23) with Indiana, averaging 3.0 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 10.0 minpg. He also appeared in 24 games (15 starts) with Fort Wayne of the NBA G League, averaging 22.6 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 4.5 apg. and 2.13 stlpg. in 34.3 minpg.   Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Queen has played in 17 career NBA regular season games with Houston and Indiana, averaging 3.8 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 8.5 minpg. He has also played in 58 career NBA G League regular season games (40 starts) with Rio Grande Valley and Fort Wayne, averaging 20.2 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 3.9 apg. and 2.24 stlpg. in 30.8 minpg. During the 2021-22 season, Queen was named NBA G League Most Valuable Player and led Rio Grande Valley to the 2022 NBA G League cha...