Orlando Sports Teams: A Midsummer Recap

By Andrew Montana

Orlando Magic - NBA

The Kingdom on the Rise is looking up after a successful rebuilding season in 2023 as it shifts to its younger players. With Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, and Wendell Carter Jr. being benefactors of this shift, the #1 overall pick of the 2022 draft, Paolo Banchero, was the Magic’s poster child.

Banchero’s phenomenal rookie campaign led him to win the Rookie of the Year award, averaging 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Unfortunately, the Magic fell short of the Playoffs as the 13th seed in the East but managed to get the 6th and 11th (via Chicago) overall picks in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Before the NBA draft on June 22, ESPN had projected the Orlando Magic to draft Overtime Elite’s Ausar Thompson at #6 and Kansas’ Gradey Dick at #11, with hopes to bolster a Banchero-led offense.

In the pre-draft projections, UCF’s star forward Taylor Hendricks, though not expected to join the Magic, was anticipated to land tenth in the draft by the Dallas Mavericks, potentially adding strength to Luka Doncic’s already elite offense.

Orlando Pride - NWSL

The Orlando Pride have had a difficult season in the National

Women’s Soccer League, sitting at the bottom of the league and struggling in away matches. Like the Orlando Magic, the Pride looks to improve via its young core. Having drafted former UCF Knight Kristen Scott 41st in the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League Draft, the Pride has its second Knight in addition to Carrie Lawrence.

Messiah Bright, a 23-year-old forward, leads the Pride in scoring this season, while veteran midfielder Erika Tymrak, one of the NWSL’s top playmakers, facilitates offensive plays. Additionally, forward Adriana and defender Kylie Strom are the only two Pride players with at least one goal and one assist.

Orlando Solar Bears - ECHL

Orlando’s Solar Bears are having another down season towards the bottom of the East Coast Hockey League standings.

Orlando has been out of playoff contention this season since March and has not seen the postseason since 2019, when it lost in the 2nd round to the Florida Everblades. Nevertheless, the Solar Bears had a hot start to the season between October and November, but the ice melted beneath them, sinking to the bottom half of the ECHL.

Despite the abundance of recent disappointment, Tristan Langan and Ross Olsson have been tearing up defenses throughout the regular season. They can give Solar Bears fans hope for a bright future.

Orlando City Soccer - MLS

Orlando City Soccer has had a rough season but is currently on a hot streak, and it is sitting dead center in the Eastern Conference in the MLS.

Rookie forward Duncan McGuire and senior forward Ercan Kara lead the way for Orlando City’s scoring, accompanied by senior midfielder Martín Ojeda, one of the best playmakers in Major League Soccer. On the defensive side, senior goalkeeper Pedro Gallese is proving to be one of the most talented and efficient defenders in the league.

Despite most of Orlando’s talent being older, they’ve been powerful in away games and have a winning record since May, including a 3-1 victory against rival team Inter Miami on May 20th. Visit

By Josh Garrick

Daytona Bandshell

Daytona Beach Summer Concerts & Fireworks

Throughout the Summer – Now to September 1 Daytona has one of the most beautiful and friendly beaches anywhere, and the beach experience is even more fun if you and your family plan to catch a LIVE summer concert at the Bandshell every Friday and Saturday night through September 1. The shows are free to the public, and reserved VIP tickets can be purchased for $15 at Ticketmaster.com, the Peabody Box Office, and the Daytona Bandshell Box Office on the event day. The performers are mostly “Tribute” acts that work particularly well on the beach, where everyone is there to have a good time. For example:

July 7: “Carnival of Crue” – (Motley Crue Tribute)

July 14: “The Boss Project” – (Bruce Springsteen Tribute)

July 21: “The Wildflowers” – (Tom Petty Tribute )

July 28: “Sir Jac” – (Prince Tribute)

July 29: “Absolute Queen” – (Queen Tribute)

And there’s even more fun with Free Fireworks after the Saturday night concerts beginning at 9:45 pm. Enjoying the sights and sounds at this historic amphitheater is easy, as plenty of parking is in the Ocean Center garage. The Bandshell is just across the crosswalk to Oceanfront Park. Everyone is welcome. For dates and additional information, please visit daytonabeach.com.

Winter Garden Theatre

Dreamgirls

July 7 to August 4