Video: SpaceX's Inspiration4 Launches into Orbit Above Orlando City-Montreal Match
Sep 16, 2021
A SpaceX Falcon 9, with four private citizens onboard, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, in Cape Canaveral , Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
On Wednesday night in central Florida, Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux and Christopher Sembroski blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, onboard the Crew Dragon Resilience becoming the first space mission featuring only private citizens to orbit.
Soccer fans who went to see Orlando City take on Montreal in MLS play got a front-row seat to the historic event.
The rocket launch flew directly over Exploria Stadium, giving those in attendance a glowing beacon in the sky that immediately caught the attention of the crowd.
During the Orlando City game, the first-ever all-civilian crew launched into orbit, and they could be seen outside the stadium š¤Æ
The mission, dubbed Inspiration4, will orbit the Earth for three days and raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital while humankind takes another step toward space tourism.
Orlando City's Jonathan Suarez-Cortes Arrested, Charged with Sexual Battery
Feb 24, 2021
Balls lie on the pitch before an MLS soccer playoff match between Orlando City and the New York City FC, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Osceola County, FloridaĀ deputy sheriffs have arrested and chargedĀ Orlando City SC defenderĀ Jonathan Suarez-Cortes and his brother, Rafael Saurez, with sexual battery.Ā
Per Katie Rice and Davis Harris of the Orlando Sentinel, the two brothers are accused of raping a woman in their Kissimmee, Florida apartment.
Per Rice and Harris, the affidavit said a woman was drinking for about two hours with Suarez-Cortes and his brother at TopGolf on Sunday. The woman and a friend went with the brothers to their apartment where they played beer pong.
According to the affidavit, at the apartment, the woman said she began having consensual sex with Rafael Suarez in his room before he let his brother into the room. Per Rice and Harris, Suarez-Cortes "said that he wanted 'in on the fun,'Ā the affidavit said. The woman told them both 'no,' but Suarez-Cortes forced her to perform a sex act on him, even after she tried to pull away, and told his brother to resume having sex with her, the affidavit said."
Per Rice and Harris, the woman left the apartment with a friend, "who she later confided in Monday and who encouraged her to contact law enforcement."
The brothers appeared in court Wednesday, and a judge set the bond for each man at $20,000.
MLS announced that it hasĀ suspended Suarez-Cortes pending investigations from the league andĀ Osceola CountyĀ Sheriff's Office.
"Orlando City SC became aware that defender Jonathan SuƔrez was arrested in Osceola County. The Club takes these allegations very seriously and is currently gathering more information. No further comment will be provided by the Club until additional investigation of the alleged incident is complete."
Suarez-Cortes, 24, is on loan from Queretaro FC of Liga MX. The Anaheim native arrived at Orlando this month.
Nani Scores Twice, Leads Orlando City SC to MLS Is Back Tournament Final
Aug 6, 2020
Orlando City forward Nani celebrates after scoring against the Minnesota United during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando City is heading to the MLS is Back Tournament Final, and it hasĀ Nani to thank.Ā
The veteran winger was brilliant Thursday night, notching a first-half brace in the club's 3-1 victory over Minnesota United.Ā Mason Toye pulled one back for Minnesota United in the 83rd minute, butĀ Benji Michel's breakaway goal in second-half stoppage time sealed Orlando City's place in the final.
Awaiting Orlando City are the Portland Timbers, who beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the other semifinal Wednesday night.Ā The two teams will fight for top billing Tuesday night atĀ 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.Ā
Both of Nani's goals were stunners.Ā
The first was set up byĀ Robin Jansson's lofting ball over the top of the Minnesota United defense in the 36th minute. Nani took a brilliant first touch to corral the pass, shielded his defender and managed to poke his shot past goalkeeper Tyler Miller to open the scoring.Ā
His second was just as impressive, as he was given way too much space on the edge of the box in the 42nd minute and curled an inch-perfect screamer past a fully outstretchedĀ Miller to double the lead.Ā
Best goal of the season so far. Nani take a bow, or just do your somersault! Outrageous goal šš» Folks, Orlando havenāt skipped a beat. This team is so balanced, and now with real game changers in Pereira, Nani and Mueller. #MLSisBack#OCSC pic.twitter.com/HkicxcN9cU
It was those moments of brilliance that spoiled a performance from Minnesota that it'll be disappointed didn't lead to a place in the final. The teams split possession evenly, but United put up 17 shots to just seven for Orlando City. The difference was that just three of them were on target and only one found the back of the net, while Orlando City put four on target and buried three of them.Ā Ā
One side was clinical, and one side was not. It was really that simple.Ā
Minnesota United's one goal was a nice effort from Toye, however, and an even better one fromĀ Kevin Molino, who set it up with a stunning, incisive pass:
That was the culmination of a steady torrent of threatening moments from United, including this free-kick that required a brilliant save from Pedro Gallese:
But despite mounting pressure, Orlando City held off those attacks before Michel finished Minnesota United for good. Unsurprisingly, it was Nani who sent him on his way:
The stiffer defense of the Portland Timbers awaits. Portland did well to stifle the Philadelphia Union's dangerous attack, packing the middle of the pitch and hitting Philly on the counter. It's hard to imagine the veteran Timbers giving Nani much space to operate with Tuesday.Ā
Granted, Nani proved he doesn't need much room to make a major difference.Ā
Ex-Manchester United Winger Nani Joins Orlando City on 3-Year Contract
Feb 18, 2019
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 3: Nani of Sporting CP in action during the Liga NOS match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 3, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
The club's executive vice president of soccer operations,Ā Luiz Muzzi, highlighted what his side are expecting from their new signing, per the club's officialĀ website.
"This is an exciting day for our organization," he said. "Nani brings tremendous experience to our roster. He's a dynamic winger with quality abilities to move and cross the ball, impact games and lead the offensive play."
Nani is an exciting winger with an eye for goal who rose to prominence at Manchester United after joining from Sporting in 2007. He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 41 goals.
After leaving Old Trafford, Nani went on to play for Fenerbahce, Valencia and Lazio, and he possesses plenty of top-level experience.
La Liga showed off his acrobatic celebrations and offered a glimpse of what to expect from the winger:
Nani has also enjoyed a stellar international career with Portugal. He's won over 100 caps for the national team and played a key role in Portugal's victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship:
The 32-year-old leaves Sporting after making 23 appearances for the club this season in all competitions and scoring eight times forĀ Marcel Keizer's side.
